Golden State Warriors guard De’Anthony Melton underwent season-ending knee surgery on Wednesday in Los Angeles, the team announced.
The procedure addressed a partially torn left anterior cruciate ligament, an injury Melton sustained on Nov. 12 during a game against the Dallas Mavericks. Following evaluations, the Warriors determined on Nov. 20 that surgery was the best course of action.
Melton, 26, was expected to be a starting backcourt partner with Stephen Curry this season, filling the void left by Klay Thompson’s move to the Mavericks. However, he has also struggled with a recurring back issue, which caused him to miss five games earlier in the season.
In the six games he played, including two starts, Melton averaged 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 20.2 minutes per game.
The team reported that Melton will begin rehabilitation in the coming weeks and is expected to make a full recovery in time for the 2025-26 season.
Following the Warriors’ defeat by the Nuggets, Steve Kerr criticizes Brandin Podziemski
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr expressed frustration with second-year guard Brandin Podziemski following the team’s 119-115 loss to the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on Tuesday night. During his post-game press conference, Kerr openly critiqued Podziemski’s decision-making, emphasizing the need for improvement.
“Podz is a hell of a player, but he needs to—and I’ve told him this—he needs to be a smart player,” Kerr said. “He’s capable of making great decisions, but tonight he made a lob when we were up 12 in the second quarter that was frankly insane. It’s a 5-on-4, and you just keep hitting singles. Pass to the open guy.”
Kerr also referenced a similar play from a prior game against Brooklyn, where Podziemski attempted an over-the-shoulder lob that backfired. “He cannot be that guy,” Kerr continued. “And he can’t foul jump shooters. He’s got to be a smart, tough, great decision-maker. He’s very capable, but that’s his next step.”
Podziemski committed two costly fouls on Michael Porter Jr. during three-point attempts and made an ill-advised lob that led to a turnover, turning what could have been two easy points for the Warriors into a transition bucket for the Nuggets. Kerr was visibly upset, addressing Podziemski directly during the game.
Afterward, Podziemski acknowledged his poor performance, especially on defense, and appreciated Kerr’s tough love. “He was getting on me to do my job,” Podziemski said. “If you can’t do your job, you’ll get pulled. I’m all for it. He knows he can get on me, and I’ll respond by trying to get better.”
Despite a subpar showing, Podziemski finished with 13 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals. However, the Warriors have now lost five straight games, dropping to 12-8 after a strong start to the season.
Kerr’s Frustration with Officiating
Kerr also voiced his displeasure with the officiating in the final moments of the game. He criticized the referees for missing what he believed should have been a technical foul on Christian Braun for calling a timeout when the Nuggets had none remaining.
“Braun called a timeout after diving on the floor and rolling over,” Kerr said. “Everyone saw it except the three officials. That’s a technical foul. We’d shoot a free throw, get the ball, and have a chance to win. They told me they didn’t see it.”
Although Kerr was upset, he acknowledged that officiating wasn’t the sole reason for the loss. “That’s not why we lost. We lost because we didn’t close again.”
The Warriors’ struggles raise questions about potential lineup or rotation changes as they seek to regain their early-season form.