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Steph Curry and Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors have won four NBA titles together.
The Golden State Warriors have been searching for stability as their season continues to wobble. They sit at 10 and 10, dropped a tight matchup to the Houston Rockets and watched Stephen Curry limp off the floor with a quad injury that will sideline him for roughly a week.
In the middle of that uncertainty, Golden State finally received a dose of good news. Veteran guard De’Anthony Melton, who has not played since tearing his ACL on November 12, 2024, is nearing his season debut.
Head coach Steve Kerr said Melton has looked sharp in practice, moving well and progressing through the final stages of rehab. Nick Friedell reported that the team believes he has “a chance” to return on the Warriors’ upcoming road trip.
That timeline rules Melton out for the next two home games but opens the door for his first appearance in more than a year.
Warriors Need Melton’s Defense Immediately
Getty De’Anthony Melton of the Golden State Warriors in action.
Golden State’s recent problems have been loud. Both Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green criticized the team’s defensive effort after the Houston loss. They pointed to breakdowns at the point of attack, late rotations and sequences that demanded help but never received it.
This is where Melton fits best.
Before his injury last season, Melton posted a plus-9.4 net rating according to Cleaning the Glass, the second-highest mark on the team. Six games were enough to show how well he complemented Golden State’s core: tough on-ball defense, quick hands, smart rotations and enough shooting to stay on the floor in any lineup.
His return gives the Warriors an actual guard defender again, something they have lacked since early last season.
How Kerr Could Use Melton in the Rotation
Melton’s early minutes will likely be monitored, but Kerr already experimented with him in multiple lineup shapes last year. Melton played shooting guard alongside Curry but defended point guards. He also shared the floor with Gary Payton II, Brandin Podziemski and Buddy Hield in smaller units built around speed and pressure.
Golden State can go back to that approach with Melton in the mix. In small-ball looks, the Warriors could roll out a five of Curry, Melton, Moses Moody, Butler and Green. In bigger lineups, Melton would likely come off the bench while Quinten Post moves into the starting group.
Melton’s job is straightforward: defend point guards, hit open shots, move the ball and keep the offense organized when Curry rests.
Golden State Need Backcourt Stability While Curry Recovers
Curry’s quad contusion is not long-term, but the Warriors are vulnerable during even short absences. They are already fighting for positioning in a deep Western Conference and have struggled with consistency all season.
The guard depth behind Curry has also been tested. Payton II has dealt with injuries. Moody is playing well but still learning. Butler has been asked to shoulder a heavy creation workload. Podziemski has flashed, yet the team needs more defensive structure at the top of the floor.
Melton provides exactly that.
He brings:
• Point-of-attack defense
• Off-ball disruption
• Low-mistake decision-making
• Solid catch-and-shoot spacing
• Comfort in small and large lineups
His presence should allow Kerr to restore normal rotations, limit overload on Butler and steady the second unit, which has been unpredictable.
What the Warriors Will Get When Melton Returns
Melton is not a star. He does not need to be. Golden State needs competence, defense, movement and role clarity. Melton checks those boxes.
Last season, he:
• Shot 36.9 percent from three for his career
• Started two games before his ACL tear
• Helped beat the Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks after being elevated to the starting lineup
• Played with an edge the roster has frequently lacked
His return will not magically fix Golden State’s issues, but it gives Kerr another trusted guard in a rotation that has leaned too heavily on inexperienced play.
Final Word: Warriors Need Every Boost They Can Get
The Warriors cannot afford to slip while Curry sits. Their margin for error is shrinking. The standings are tightening, and the identity of the team continues to fluctuate from night to night.
Melton’s return offers something they desperately need: reliability.
He is tough, disciplined and fits the style the Warriors want to play. If he stays healthy and recaptures the form he showed early last year, Golden State will finally have another guard they can trust in real minutes.
It is not the kind of update that changes the West, but in a season where the Warriors are searching for stability everywhere, Melton’s return could be the lift they need.
Keith Watkins Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins
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