The Golden State Warriors delivered encouraging news on Wednesday on veteran guard De’Anthony Melton, who is moving closer to his long-awaited season debut following surgery to repair a torn left ACL late last year.
The team issued a medical update confirming Melton’s rehabilitation remains on schedule and that he has recently increased his activity level.
“De’Anthony Melton… continues to make good progress with his rehabilitation,” the Warriors said in a statement. “He has intensified his workouts in recent weeks, participating in practice and scrimmages with the Santa Cruz Warriors. He will continue to be integrated in full practice and various scrimmages with the Warriors and will be reevaluated again in 10 days.”
Melton underwent surgery on December 4, 2024, after tearing his ACL just six games into his first season with Golden State. The 27-year-old guard was considered one of the franchise’s most important offseason additions.
Melton Was Key Fit Next to Stephen Curry Before Injury
GettyDe’Anthony Melton is nearing his return to the Golden State Warriors.
Before the injury prematurely halted his debut year with the Warriors, Melton averaged 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.2 steals.
He had started twice next to Stephen Curry, providing the two-way versatility Golden State envisioned when signing him. The Warriors started 12-2 last season, powered by Melton’s perimeter defense and floor spacing before the ACL tear derailed their momentum.
Warriors Struggled Without Melton, Revamped Roster, Added Butler
Following Melton’s injury, Golden State’s backcourt rotation struggled to stabilize. The Warriors slid to 11th in the Western Conference before reshaping the roster midseason, including a trade for Jimmy Butler, a move that brought toughness and scoring balance.
Melton briefly became part of a series of trade sequences involving Dennis Schröder and the Brooklyn Nets, though Golden State ultimately retained Melton as part of its long-term vision.
Melton later said he understood the transaction side of the decision.
“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.”
Analyst Says Melton Should Start Again When Cleared
NBC Sports Bay Area’s Monte Poole reported in September that Melton has been ramping up activity at Chase Center and could reclaim a starting spot if fully cleared.
“If Melton is fully cleared, he should be the starter,” Poole said on the Dubs Talk podcast. “You want someone next to Steph who’s a two-way player. Melton is a good on-ball defender with a great feel for team defense. That lets Steph be Steph.”
Golden State head coach Steve Kerr has rotated various options — including Brandin Podziemski, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and rookie Will Richard — to find the right pairing next to Curry in Melton’s absence.
Return Timeline Could Align With Warriors’ Playoff Push
If Melton continues progressing and is cleared for full contact after his next evaluation, he could return by late November or early December. His two-way play, transition scoring and defensive instincts would give the Warriors another veteran weapon for the second half of the season and their playoff chase.
Golden State has not announced a finalized return date, but the tone of Wednesday’s update signaled optimism that the Warriors will soon have Melton back on the floor — potentially in a starting role again next to Curry.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Warriors Hint at Surprise Starter Return After Major Injury Update appeared first on Heavy Sports.