De'Anthony Melton's underwhelming preseason saw him well and truly lose the starting shooting guard battle to Brandin Podziemski, but a fresh injury concern for the 23-year-old could give his veteran teammate a reprieve when it comes to the Golden State Warriors' lineup for their season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.
Podziemski tweaked his back on Sunday and failed to practice on Monday, leaving his status as questionable for an already undermanned Warriors team entering the season.
Brandin Podziemski injury could hand De'Anthony Melton a reprieve
Melton was arguably one of the more disappointing players for Golden State during preseason, having averaged only 5.2 points (ranked 13th on the team), 1.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists while committing 1.4 turnovers per game.
The efficiency struggles from late last season also carried over for the 28-year-old despite optimism following surgery on both thumbs during the offseason. Melton shot just 26.9% from the floor and 25% from 3-point range during preseason, while he ranked 15th on the team in plus-minus. Of the Warriors' main rotation players, only Al Horford -- whose minutes were heavily managed -- was worse in that category.
These numbers don't particularly lend themselves to being deserving of a starting role on opening night, but Steve Kerr and the coaching staff will be left with few other choices as Golden State prepare already without two starters (and arguably a third) in Jimmy Butler, Kristaps Porzingis and Moses Moody.
Highschool teammate Brandon Williams was more impressive than Melton during preseason, but there's no indication that he'd suddenly catapult into a starting role without Podziemski. The Warriors like Melton's fit with Stephen Curry anyway, while Williams is expected to occupy a sixth-man role as a microwave scorer off the bench.
Warriors can't escape more injury woes ahead of opening night
Already without three key players in Butler, Porzingis and Moody, the injury concerns have only grown for Golden State in the lead up to opening night. Curry put a scare through everyone when he limped off the floor at Sunday's open practice, but Kerr says his franchise superstar will be available on Wednesday night.
Charles Bassey is also dealing with knee tendinitis and is considered day-to-day, putting further pressure on a weakened center rotation with Porzingis out and a 40-year-old Horford on a minutes restriction.
Podziemski was the one player the Warriors were supposed to be able to count on, having avoided the injury bug last season where he played in all 82 games. Now there's doubt on the recently extended guard's availability for opening night, leaving Melton as an obvious beneficiary if Podziemski were to miss.
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