The Golden State Warriors finally offered clarity on De’Anthony Melton’s long-awaited season debut, providing the most detailed update yet on the veteran guard’s recovery from a torn left ACL.
Warriors Announce Melton Could Return on Next Week’s Road Trip
In a statement released Saturday, the Warriors confirmed that Melton has ramped up to full practices and competitive scrimmages, signaling that his return is imminent.
“Warriors guard De’Anthony Melton, who underwent surgery to repair a torn left ACL on December 4, 2024, continues to make good progress with his rehabilitation,” the team announced. “He has fully participated in practice in recent days and continues to scrimmage in various settings. He will not play the remainder of this current homestand, but it is expected that he could be activated at some point during the team’s upcoming three-game road trip next week.”
Golden State hosts the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday before heading East for a challenging three-game stretch against the Philadelphia 76ers (Dec. 4), Cleveland Cavaliers (Dec. 6) and Chicago Bulls (Dec. 7). Melton is expected to return during one of those matchups.
The update ends months of uncertainty surrounding a key offseason addition the Warriors had hoped to build their backcourt around.
Melton’s Return Comes as Warriors Lose Stephen Curry to Injury
GettyStephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors is out for a week or more.
The news arrives at a critical moment for Golden State, which lost Stephen Curry to a right quad contusion during Wednesday’s defeat to the Houston Rockets. ESPN’s Anthony Slater and Shams Charania reported that Curry is expected to miss “around a week or a little more,” further complicating a season already dinged by injuries.
The Warriors entered Saturday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans having dropped four of their past five contests, sliding back toward .500 as inconsistency and defensive lapses continue to characterize their early-season struggles.
Getting Melton back provides an infusion of defense, toughness and stability — all areas Golden State has lacked in the opening month.
Melton Was a Key Starter Before His ACL Tear
Melton appeared in only six games last season before suffering the ACL tear that wiped out his debut year with the Warriors. In those limited appearances, he averaged 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.2 steals while shooting efficiently and defending at a high clip.
Golden State envisioned the 27-year-old guard as a perfect complement to Curry: a tough on-ball defender, active playmaker and reliable shooter who could guard the league’s elite guards while allowing Curry to carry less defensive burden.
The early returns reflected that vision. Melton started twice next to Curry, and the Warriors raced to a 12-2 start before his injury derailed their rotation and rhythm.
Warriors Backcourt Struggled Without Melton, Leading to Midseason Shake-Ups
Without Melton to start the season, Golden State cycled through multiple options in search of backcourt stability — Brandin Podziemski, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and rookie Will Richard — but none fully replicated Melton’s blend of defense, toughness and efficient scoring.
The Warriors slid to 11th in the West last season before aggressively reshaping the roster, including the blockbuster addition of Jimmy Butler. Melton briefly became caught in a series of trade sequences involving Dennis Schröder and the Brooklyn Nets, though the Warriors ultimately held onto him.
Melton later said he held no bitterness about the trade discussions.
“Business is business. I probably would’ve traded myself, too,” Melton said. “At my contract, you needed someone who could come in, play and help the team… I felt no type of way and I understood.”
Melton Expected to Reclaim Starting Role Next to Curry
NBC Sports Bay Area’s Monte Poole projected in September that Melton would reclaim his starting spot as soon as he was fully cleared.
“You want someone next to Steph who’s a two-way player,” Poole said on the Dubs Talk podcast. “Melton is a good on-ball defender with a great feel for team defense. That lets Steph be Steph.”
Head coach Steve Kerr has long prioritized defense and physicality in the backcourt — two areas where Melton excels. With Curry sidelined and Golden State entering a difficult road stretch, his return becomes even more consequential.
For a Warriors team battling injuries, inconsistency and growing urgency, Melton’s comeback could not be better timed.
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