Brandin

Podziemski

A few weeks removed from undergoing surgery on his left (shooting) wrist, Podziemski underwent a separate procedure on Tuesday. According to the Warriors, the procedure to repair the core muscle injury was successful. Podziemski is expected to be fully recovered in time for the start of training camp in late September. As long as there aren’t any setbacks, Podziemski will be a player worth selecting in fantasy drafts.

Podziemski underwent a successful left wrist debridement procedure on his left wrist on Wednesday. According to the Warriors, the 2023 first-round pick is expected to be healthy in time for the start of training camp in the fall. After finishing fifth in Rookie of the Year voting in 2023-24, Podziemski’s averages improved in points, steals and three-pointers this season. While he may not be an offensive focal point for the Warriors next season, Podziemski’s status as a starter will make him a worthwhile selection in fantasy drafts.

This wasn’t a great series for Podziemski, but he ended it on a high note. He set a new playoff career high for points and still contributed value in other categories across the board. Podz has solidified his spot in the starting lineup with the way the roster is currently constructed. He should be an enticing pick in fantasy drafts next season, especially if the Warriors lean on him for more production to keep Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green fresh for the postseason.

Unsurprisingly, Curry is officially out for Game 5 due to the hamstring injury he suffered during Game 1. Game 6, which will be played on May 18, was a far more realistic possibility for the Warriors’ superstar guard. Buddy Hield will likely remain in the starting lineup, with Jonathan Kuminga taking on a more prominent role off the bench. Those two and Brandin Podziemski will need to be at their best if the Warriors are to extend this series, which they trail three games to one.

Podziemski was 3-of-14 from the field and missed all four of his three-point attempts. His 22.5 field goal percentage in this series is the worst for any player (min. 35 attempts) since Pero Antic shot 16.7 percent in the Hawks vs. Pacers series in 2014, according to Josh Dubow of the Associated Press. Down 3-1 in the series now, the Warriors need Stephen Curry to return from his hamstring injury for Game 5, a miracle or both to get back in this series.

Curry suffered a Grade 1 strain of his left hamstring during Tuesday’s Warriors’ series-opening win over the Timberwolves. While ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Wednesday that the guard is expected to miss at least one week, Curry refused to give a target date when asked about his injury on Thursday. “No,” Curry said, according to The Athletic. “This is new, and from all that I’m learning about how quickly you can get back, there has to be a healing process. It’s just the way the body works. You can’t accelerate more than the body is telling you. It’ll be one of those after a week, really re-evaluate it every day to understand when it’s safe just to even think about playing.” This is the first hamstring injury of Curry’s career, so he’s in uncharted territory. Jimmy Butler, Brandin Podziemski and Buddy Hield will have added importance within the Warriors’ offense, and the latter has shot 14-of-19 from three in his last two games.

Added to the Warriors’ injury report late Sunday morning, Payton will miss the series decider in Houston. This should result in Brandin Podziemski returning to the starting lineup after playing 29 minutes off the bench in Game 6. Also, Moses Moody could return to the lineup to strengthen the Warriors’ perimeter defense, with Buddy Hield coming off the bench.

While Payton’s left thumb injury is not an issue for Game 7, he has been added to the injury report due to an illness. While he did start the Warriors’ Game 6 defeat on Friday, the veteran guard logged 20 minutes with Brandin Podziemski playing 29 off the bench. If Payton cannot play on Sunday, Podziemski should return to the starting lineup.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr started Payton over Brandin Podziemski, with the veteran wing capable of helping out defensively and making the Rockets pay out of the dunker spot. Unfortunately, the change did not result in increased production from either player. Payton shot 40 percent from the field, while Podziemski (10/7/3/1 with two three-pointers) shot 4-of-9. Given how Game 6 played out, it would be unsurprising if Kerr returned to Podziemski as his starter for Game 7 on Sunday.

The Warriors will take a more defensive approach to their starting lineup for Game 6, as they look to close out the Rockets. Payton will start, replacing Brandin Podziemski in the lineup. Podziemski should still play plenty and can provide offensive firepower off the bench.