Golden State Warriors guard De’Anthony Melton is set to undergo season-ending knee surgery.
According to the team’s announcement on Wednesday, Melton will have a procedure done soon for a partially torn left anterior cruciate ligament. He had been sidelined for the past two games, with the decision for surgery coming after some recent contemplation, as mentioned by Steve Kerr.
Following tests, the Warriors concluded that surgery was the best course of action for Melton, who has also been dealing with back issues. Melton was expected to start in the backcourt alongside Stephen Curry after Klay Thompson’s departure to Dallas.
Head coach Kerr expressed sympathy for Melton’s situation, acknowledging his importance to the team and his potential as a starter, while also emphasizing the positive outlook for his recovery from surgery.
Melton played in six games, with two starts, averaging 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 20.2 minutes. He had previously missed five games due to a lower back strain.
In Melton’s absence, Lindy Waters III, known for his defensive skills and scoring ability, will step into the starting lineup. Waters started in Wednesday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks.
Moving forward, the Warriors plan to experiment with different player combinations to find effective strategies.
Reporting by The Associated Press.
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