SAN FRANCISCO – De'Anthony Melton will miss the rest of the 2024-25 season with a sprained left ACL.
Melton, 26, is scheduled to have surgery Dec. 3, he said. Although he has missed the last two games, he and the team have been diligent in getting multiple opinions on his injury. They concluded that the perfect plan of action was season-ending surgery.
“It still doesn’t feel real,” Melton said at his locker. “Especially because it’s still so early in the season. I have to deal with that and push through it to get better.”
Melton was productive when available this season, earning a starting role alongside Steph Curry within the backfield. A two-way, multi-dimensional guard, Melton averaged 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.2 steals per game.
The starting lineup with Melton was by far the most efficient starting lineup the Warriors have tried this 12 months, outscoring opponents by 22.4 points per 100 possessions.
“I feel so sorry for De’Anthony,” Steve Kerr said. “He is a perfect fit for us and we were very happy to have him. He would definitely be our starter next to Steph.”
Golden State signed Melton to a one-year, $12.8 million contract last offseason, meaning he will likely be a free agent after the season ends. He missed greater than half of last 12 months as a result of serious back injuries, but had worked on strengthening his core over the summer to stop further problems.
There is an extended track record of NBA players recovering to full strength after ACL surgery. Kerr and Melton discussed recovery and his upcoming free agency.
“He should be able to come back and continue his career really well,” Kerr said.
However, before his knee injury, Melton missed five straight games as a result of a back strain. He described it as mild – and significantly less painful than what he suffered last 12 months – however the team treated him with caution.
Three games after his return — and after earning the starting guard role — he sprained his knee against the Mavericks. He tweaked it late within the second quarter and after limping for some time, Melton finished the sport. But because the adrenaline wore off, Melton felt his knee stiffen.
Given Melton's status as an impending free agent, it's possible his tenure as a Warrior will only last six games.
Without Melton, the Warriors will make their third straight start against Lindy Waters III. Kerr likes the look of Waters next to Curry due to his 3-point shooting, passing skills and on-ball defense.
“You want to get as many two-way players together as possible in this league,” Kerr said. “They are not easy to find. Luckily we have a strong team and the boys will be ready to step up. We just have to continue to look at different combinations and put the best ones on the floor.”
The Warriors could apply for a disabled player waiver, but since they’re lower than $1 million under their first-court hard cap, the trail to using the spending flexibility shouldn’t be yet paved.
Melton plans to undergo surgery in Los Angeles after which rehabilitate with the team within the Bay Area. When asked if there was a probability for an outdoor return if the Warriors make a deep playoff run, Melton said he didn't know.
“Then you can all poll me,” Melton said. “Hopefully. I'd love to. Deep Run, you never know.”
Originally published:
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