Moses

Moody

Moody returned from a 10-game absence with a wrist injury on Monday. Unfortunately, his night ended early with what will end up as a season-ending injury. The former lottery pick had an excellent game in Monday’s win and has enjoyed the best season of his career. However, he won’t be available to help Golden State during the postseason. Gui Santos was pushed to the bench with Moody back, but Santos should be back in the starting lineup, at least until Stephen Curry (knee) returns.

Moody was very active on both ends of the floor in his first 34 minutes back from a 10-game absence — he produced a team-high in points, while his disruptiveness led him to a game-high five stocks. Unfortunately, his final steal came with under one minute left in overtime, which led him to a non-contact knee injury as he tried to finish a fastbreak dunk. The fifth-year guard was stretchered off the floor and did not return. There hasn’t been an official diagnosis yet, but if the injury is as bad as it looked, players such as Gary Payton II, LJ Cryer, and Will Richard should see increased minutes going forward.

The Warriors’ starting unit will feature Moses Moody, who makes his return to the floor after missing the last 10 games with a wrist injury. Additionally, Porzingis will return following a one-game absence to help the Warriors try to end a three-game losing streak. Golden State is 10th in the Western Conference standings entering Monday’s contest.

Moody is available for Monday night, the first game he has appeared in since March 2. Given the time missed, the Warriors’ guard could have his playing time limited for conditioning reasons. LJ Cryer or Nate Williams may fall out of the rotation entirely since Moody is available.

While the Warriors announced on Saturday that Moody would be re-evaluated on Tuesday after the team returns home from its road trip, there’s a chance that he plays on Monday. Getting him back would give the Warriors another option to call upon on the wing, but Moody’s playing time may be limited in his first game.

On Wednesday, it was reported that Moody was not expected to return during the Warriors’ road trip, which concludes on Monday in Dallas. The Warriors essentially confirmed that with Saturday’s update, as the wing won’t be re-evaluated until Tuesday. However, like Stephen Curry, Moody will be incorporated back into practices in the coming days and has intensified his individual on-court workouts.

Moody, who will miss an eighth straight game on Wednesday when the Warriors visit the Celtics, has been out with a sprained right wrist. The fact that his workouts have mainly focused on his left hand, with the right hand/wrist in a brace, is not a good sign regarding his availability. After Wednesday, the Warriors play three more games on their road trip, ending next Monday in Dallas. Those who have held onto Moody would be better off freeing up the roster spot and searching the waiver wire for a healthy contributor.

This will be an eighth straight absence for Moody, and while there is a chance he returns during this road trip, it won’t be against Boston. They have a back-to-back on Friday and Saturday, so he could return this weekend. Will Richard and Gary Payton II will continue to take on extra minutes with Moody out.

Moody will miss a seventh straight game, and it’s unclear when he’ll be available to return. Until Moody is back in action, Will Richard and Gary Payton II should see additional playing time.

That means Moody will miss Friday’s home game against the Timberwolves, which will be his fifth missed game in a row, but could return at any point after that. As of now, his conditioning seems fine, but he is only shooting with his left hand, so we would assume he comes back near the tail end of the road trip, if at all. Moody was playing between 27 and 35 minutes per game before he got hurt, and while the Warriors may ease him back in, he should return to that role soon after his return. That means the current minutes and usage increase for Will Richard, Pat Spencer, and Gary Payton could be nearing an end.