Warriors player done for year with ACL injury

The Golden State Warriors are hitting a major pothole in their bid to replace Klay Thompson’s production.

Golden State announced on Wednesday that guard De’Anthony Melton is out for the remainder of the 2024-25 season due to an ACL injury. Melton had missed the last two games with what was deemed a “left ACL sprain” but has now decided to have surgery after further testing was done, the Warriors added.

Melton, 26, was a very underrated offseason signing by Golden State. A career 36.9 percent three-point shooter who is capable of playing both guard positions, Melton was averaging 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in just around 20 minutes per game for the Warriors this season.

With Melton now finished for the year, Golden State’s undisputed starting 2 guard is likely Lindy Waters III (who is much longer at 6-foot-6 to Melton’s 6-foot-2). Buddy Hield is also around as the Warriors’ preferred sixth man, and Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody will probably pick up bigger roles off the bench as well. But especially considering the details of the contract Melton signed with Golden State in the offseason, that is an absolutely brutal turn of events for both player and team.