Latest news with #GoldenState
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
De'Anthony Melton's ACL injury shifted Warriors season dramatically
Looking back at Golden State's early November nights, it's wild how quickly everything shifted. One moment you're watching De'Anthony Melton drill five threes against the Thunder, grabbing 10 rebounds like some kind of defensive savant, and thinking 'damn, Kerr might have actually cracked the code.' The next? Season over, ACL torn, and suddenly Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody have the weight of the season on their shoulders. The cruel irony? Melton's injury came in exactly the kind of marquee win that should've been a building block, not a catalyst for unplanned development. November 12th against Dallas - a team that had just poached Klay Thompson and was riding high off their Finals run. Melton put up 14 points in 26 minutes, helping the Warriors take down a legitimate Western Conference threat. Advertisement Two nights earlier against OKC - who are now making their Finals push - Melton was even better: 19 points, 10 boards, five made threes, playing like the perfect complement to Steph's brilliance. Steve Kerr had been cycling through options all season - Gary Payton II here, Moses Moody there - searching for the right combination. When he finally found it in Melton's 37.9% three-point shooting and elite defensive versatility, it wasn't just solving a starting lineup puzzle. It was creating a sustainable depth chart where Podziemski could continue his sophomore evolution and Moody could build on his fourth-year foundation without the pressure of being immediate difference-makers. But the basketball gods have a sick sense of humor. Melton's season-ending ACL surgery didn't just sideline a player - it completely restructured the Warriors' developmental timeline. Suddenly, Podziemski's court vision and Moody's improved shooting weren't just nice-to-have bench contributions. They became essential rotation pieces in a championship chase that couldn't afford growing pains. Advertisement The double-edged sword couldn't be sharper. On one hand, this kind of exposure is exactly what young players need to accelerate their development. Podziemski, showing flashes of the playmaking that made him a draft steal, suddenly finds himself in high-leverage situations that would typically take years to earn. Moody, after years of inconsistent opportunities, gets the extended run he's been craving to prove his shooting and defensive improvements are real. On the other hand? The Warriors' carefully constructed depth strategy just went out the window. When you're dealing with an aging core and a championship window that's rapidly closing, player development is supposed to be a luxury, not a necessity. What stings most is the timing. Kerr called Melton 'really the perfect mix,' and he wasn't being hyperbolic. The Warriors had found their sustainable rotation for exactly two games. The irony runs deeper when you consider that both Podziemski and Moody have shown flashes of exactly what the Warriors need. But flashes aren't championships. Development curves don't bend to playoff schedules. And while the increased exposure might accelerate their growth, it also exposes every growing pain in real time - with real consequences for a team that thought it had solved its rotation puzzle. Melton ended up getting traded to the Nets, but there's hope the Dubs reunite with him in the offseason. Advertisement More from
Newsweek
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Warriors Could Lose Crucial Star Due to Clashing Roster Plans
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Golden State Warriors may not have had a prayer against the mighty Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals, but it certainly seems feasible that they could have given the Minnesota Timberwolves a real series if All-Stars Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler hadn't been hurt. Curry strained his hamstring in Game 1 of the team's second round series against Minnesota and missed the final four contests of the series. Butler, meanwhile, had been grappling with a deep glute contusion since the first round, and appeared to lack a lot of the burst that makes him such a special two-way talent. So the Warriors' 2025 playoff run ended in the semifinals. More Golden State Warriors News: Warriors' Draymond Green Reacts to Steve Kerr's Honest Statement Now, Golden State could be losing a key star due to different perspectives on roster needs. According to Anthony Slater of The Athletic, fourth-year Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga is angling to leverage his restricted free agency this summer to either carve out more minutes and responsibilities in Golden State or elsewhere. INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 08: Brandin Podziemski #2 and Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors walks across the court in the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 08,... INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 08: Brandin Podziemski #2 and Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors walks across the court in the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 08, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Podziemski was told he wouldn't be traded for any star players this offseason. More Photo byThe Warriors, meanwhile, would prefer to harness him as a downhill scorer and athletic defender, while de-emphasizing his time with the ball. "The cleanest path is finding a sign-and-trade scenario that delivers the Warriors veterans who fit the unique Steve Kerr system built around Curry, Green and now Butler — three unique and proven winners," Slater writes. More Golden State Warriors News: Steve Kerr Reveals Uncomfortable Truth About Warriors Star Kuminga, still just 22, proved to be a frustrating contributor. A score-first forward with intriguing athleticism, he seemed to thrive most when with the ball in his hands — a reality that can't come to fruition much on a team with proud vets like Curry, Butler and Draymond Green. Still, Kuminga showed plenty of promise when he did get more of an opportunity for Golden State after Curry had gone down. More Golden State Warriors News: Warriors Being Heavily Linked to Celtics Star The 6-foot-8 pro averaged 24.3 points on 54.8 percent shooting from the floor (38.9 percent from deep) across the final four games of the Timberwolves series, all losses. His ability to attack the rim remains massively enticing. Still, it may make sense for the Warriors to fully move on from their original "two timelines" plan — an era wherein Golden State drafted three lottery players from 2020-21, none of whom became major contributors to the club's 2022 championship — and embrace the now. Curry is 37, Butler turns 36 before the start of the season, and Green is 35. Health issues have already hampered their time together in the playoffs once. It's time for the Warriors to bring in a supporting cast tailored to the old guys. More Golden State Warriors News: Former Heat Star Calls Out Jimmy Butler After Warriors Playoff Exit Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra Was Brutally Honest With Steve Kerr on Warriors' Jimmy Butler Acquisition Warriors Guard Undergoes Unexpected Offseason Surgery Warriors, Jonathan Kuminga Situation Receives Major Update For more Golden State Warriors and general NBA news and rumors, stay tuned to Newsweek Sports.
NBC Sports
2 days ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Stewart and Ionescu lift New York to 82-77 win over Golden State to remain unbeaten
NEW YORK (AP) — Breanna Stewart scored 27 points and Sabrina Ionescu added 24 to help the New York Liberty hold on to beat the Golden State Valkyries 82-77 on Thursday night and remain unbeaten. The teams met on Tuesday and New York routed expansion Golden State 95-67, jumping to a 17-point lead in the first quarter. The Valkyries were much more competitive two days later, giving the defending champions all they could handle. New York took a 78-77 lead in the back-and-forth affair on two free throws by Stewart with 1:35 left. Golden State had a few chances to retake the lead, but missed three 3-pointers in the next 35 seconds. After a timeout, the Valkyries then had a 5-second call on the inbounds, giving the Liberty the ball back with 43.6 seconds left. The Liberty (5-0) then ran the clock down on the next possession before Natasha Cloud drove the lane for a layup to make it 80-77 with 24 seconds left. Golden State (2-3) had one last chance but Cecilia Zandalasini missed a potential tying 3-pointer and Cloud hit two free throws. The game featured 20 lead changes and 16 ties. Janelle Salaün led the Valkyries with 18 points and 13 rebounds. New York had scored more than 90 points in each of its first four games, but couldn't do it against Golden State on Thursday. The Liberty fell one game short of tying the Las Vegas Aces as the only team in WNBA history to begin a season with five straight 90-point games, doing so in 2023. That team went on to win its second straight WNBA championship. The Liberty were missing center Jonquel Jones, who was dealing with a right hamstring issue. This was the first of three games in four days for the Liberty, who play at Washington on Friday before hosting Connecticut on Sunday. Actor Jackie Chan was at the game and met with Ionescu and Golden State head coach Natalie Nakase before the game. Nakase is the first Asian American head coach in WNBA history.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Stewart and Ionescu lift New York to 82-77 win over Golden State to remain unbeaten
NEW YORK — Breanna Stewart scored 27 points and Sabrina Ionescu added 24 to help the New York Liberty hold on to beat the Golden State Valkyries 82-77 on Thursday night and remain unbeaten. The teams met on Tuesday and New York routed expansion Golden State 95-67, jumping to a 17-point lead in the first quarter. The Valkyries were much more competitive two days later, giving the defending champions all they could handle. New York took a 78-77 lead in the back-and-forth affair on two free throws by Stewart with 1:35 left. Golden State had a few chances to retake the lead, but missed three 3-pointers in the next 35 seconds. After a timeout, the Valkyries then had a 5-second call on the inbounds, giving the Liberty the ball back with 43.6 seconds left. The Liberty then ran the clock down on the next possession before Natasha Cloud drove the lane for a layup to make it 80-77 with 24 seconds left. Golden State had one last chance but Cecilia Zandalasini missed a potential tying 3-pointer and Cloud hit two free throws. The game featured 20 lead changes and 16 ties. Janelle Salaün led the Valkyries with 18 points and 13 rebounds. New York had scored more than 90 points in each of its first four games, but couldn't do it against Golden State on Thursday. The Liberty fell one game short of tying the Las Vegas Aces as the only team in WNBA history to begin a season with five straight 90-point games, doing so in 2023. That team went on to win its second straight WNBA championship. The Liberty were missing center Jonquel Jones, who was dealing with a rightt hamstring issue. This was the first of three games in four days for the Liberty, who play at Washington on Friday before hosting Connecticut on Sunday. Actor Jackie Chan was at the game and met with Ionescu and Golden State head coach Natalie Nakase before the game. Nakase is the first Asian American head coach in WNBA history. WNBA: /hub/wnba-basketball
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Stewart and Ionescu lift New York to 82-77 win over Golden State to remain unbeaten
NEW YORK (AP) — Breanna Stewart scored 27 points and Sabrina Ionescu added 24 to help the New York Liberty hold on to beat the Golden State Valkyries 82-77 on Thursday night and remain unbeaten. The teams met on Tuesday and New York routed expansion Golden State 95-67, jumping to a 17-point lead in the first quarter. The Valkyries were much more competitive two days later, giving the defending champions all they could handle. New York took a 78-77 lead in the back-and-forth affair on two free throws by Stewart with 1:35 left. Golden State had a few chances to retake the lead, but missed three 3-pointers in the next 35 seconds. After a timeout, the Valkyries then had a 5-second call on the inbounds, giving the Liberty the ball back with 43.6 seconds left. The Liberty (5-0) then ran the clock down on the next possession before Natasha Cloud drove the lane for a layup to make it 80-77 with 24 seconds left. Golden State (2-3) had one last chance but Cecilia Zandalasini missed a potential tying 3-pointer and Cloud hit two free throws. Janelle Salaün led the Valkyries with 18 points and 13 rebounds. New York had scored more than 90 points in each of its first four games, but couldn't do it against Golden State on Thursday. The Liberty fell one game short of tying the Las Vegas Aces as the only team in WNBA history to begin a season with five straight 90-point games, doing so in 2023. That team went on to win its second straight WNBA championship. The Liberty were missing center Jonquel Jones, who was dealing with a left hamstring issue. This was the first of three games in four days for the Liberty, who play at Washington on Friday before hosting Connecticut on Sunday. Actor Jackie Chan was at the game and met with Ionescu and Golden State head coach Natalie Nakase before the game. Nakase is the first Asian American head coach in WNBA history. ___ AP WNBA:
