A month into the season, the Golden State Warriors have had their ups and downs. While the Warriors are currently dealing with some ailments, they have been relatively healthy. However, they did get some good news about De’Anthony Melton in an injury update. When could Melton make his season debut?
“Warriors announce that De’Anthony Melton will continue to increase activity in team practices and scrimmages,” Anthony Slater of The Athletic tweeted. “Re-evaluated again in 10 days. I’ve heard some time in December has been a floating target for return from ACL rehab.”
When Will De’Anthony Melton Possibly Make His Season Debut?
Melton, who didn’t undergo surgery until Dec. 4 to repair the torn ACL, has been ramping up since October. He has been practicing with the Warriors’ G League squad in Santa Cruz and is expected to join the Warriors in practice soon. So, if all goes well, he could be cleared for game action in early December. However, expect him to be on a minutes restriction.
Melton played in six games last season before suffering a season-ending injury. After finishing the season on Brooklyn’s roster, the 27-year-old combo guard re-signed with the Warriors this summer. Last season marked the second straight year Melton struggled to stay healthy, as he has played in only 44 contests since the beginning of 2023-24.
Warriors Early Season Struggles
For the second straight year, Golden State is off to another middling start at 9-8. The Warriors suffered their second straight loss last night, falling to Miami 110-96, and dropped to 4-8 on the road on the season. It is the fourth consecutive season that the Dubs are around .500 after 17 contests; they also began last season with a 9-8 record.
Granted, Golden State was without five of its top seven rotation players against Miami last night. Still, the Warriors battled hard and held a two-point lead heading into the fourth quarter. But the Warriors scored only 22 points in the fourth quarter. They finished the game shooting just 36% from the field, 27% from the 3-point line, while committing 21 turnovers. Brandin Podziemski led the way for the Dubs with 20 points on 19 shots. Podziemski, Buddy Hield, Moses Moody, and Pat Spencer combined for 58 points on 21-for-64 (32.8%) shooting, including 8 of 32 (25%) from deep.
Shooting the ball has been a problem for the Warriors all season, especially on the road. The Warriors shoot 48.3% from the field at home, though they make just 43.7% away from the Chase Center. Hield, Draymond Green, and Al Horford have been the biggest culprits, as all three are averaging at least six shots per game and shooting 40% or less from the field. Turnovers and rebounding have also been issues. They commit nearly 18 turnovers a game, which is the second most in the league, and rank in the bottom third in rebound percentage (48.8%).
When Will Warriors’ Injured Players Return?
With Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, Jonathan Kuminga, and Green all sitting out, Steve Kerr had to use his seventh different starting lineup against the Heat. Curry (right ankle soreness) sat out last night after tweeking his ankle twice during the Warriors ‘ six-game road trip, most recently on Tuesday against Orlando. He is likely to be considered questionable when the Warriors start a five-game homestand against Portland on Friday.
Green missed the Heat game due to an illness and should be available for Friday. Butler sat out due to a back issue; he was downgraded before ultimately being sidelined. Meanwhile, Horford was out for injury management as it was the second of back-to-backs. Butler, Green, and Horford are expected to return to the lineup on Friday, though at least Butler will be listed as questionable.
Kuminga (knee) has missed four straight games. While the 23-year-old is considered day-to-day, there is no set timetable for his return. It would be a mild surprise if Kuminga returns on Friday.
What Role Will De’Anthony Melton Have When He Returns?
Known for his defensive prowess and athleticism, Melton can do a little bit of everything, though he is a streaky shooter. Melton, who has scored in double-figures in each of the last three years, has career averages of 9.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.4 steals. He knocks down 1.4 threes a game with shooting splits of 41/36.9/77.9.
It will be interesting whether Kerr decides to bring Melton off the bench or start alongside Curry. His ability to contain opposing point guards would take pressure off Curry on defense, and, offensively, he would be the perfect complement due to his floor spacing.
However, Melton will come off the bench at first as he will likely be on a minutes restriction. Butler (five games), Will Richard, and Podziemski have also started at shooting guard. The Warriors are 6-2 when either Richard or Podziemski has started in the backcourt with Curry, though just 2-3 when Butler does. Moreover, the Warriors outscore their opponents by 5.5 points when Podziemski starts and are a minus-2.3 when Richard is in the first five.
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The post Warriors Get Positive Injury Update On De’Anthony Melton, Veteran Guard Making Season Debut Soon and How Does It Affect Warriors Rotation? appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.