The Golden State Warriors' (9-8) struggles on both ends of the floor have been apparent over the course of their latest two-game skid, and the team could use an added spark off of their bench to combat these issues and support their 11-time All-Star guard Stephen Curry.
Golden State dropped both games of their league-leading fifth set of back-to-back games against the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat on Tuesday and Wednesday night, respectively.
Following a rough Florida trip filled with turnovers and defensive miscues, the Warriors received a pleasant update regarding their two-way guard De'Anthony Melton and his continued recovery efforts from an ACL injury suffered at the beginning of the 2024-25 campaign.
Though he has yet to take the floor for the Warriors this season, the group got word that his return could be imminent, and that he has taken a new step forward in his rehabilitation process.
"Warriors guard De'Anthony Melton, who underwent surgery to repair a torn left ACL on December 4, 2024, continues to make good progress with his rehabilitation," Warriors PR shared via X on Wednesday.
"He has intensified his workouts in recent weeks, participating in practices and scrimmages with the Santa Cruz Warriors on multiple occasions."
"He will continue to be integrated in full practice and various scrimmages with the Warriors. He will be re-evaluated again in 10 days."
Melton has missed the Warriors' first 17 gams of the new campaign, but Curry and the rest of the team will be waiting on bated breath for his return to action due to his undeniable impact on both sides of the ball.
The 6-foot-3 combo-guard's debut season with the storied franchise was cut short to begin the 2024-25 season due to an ACL injury after just six games, but he managed to contribute 10.3 points, 2.8 assists and 1.2 steals while knocking down 37.1% of his 5.8 attempts from three-point range in that time.
Early on, Melton proved to be an invaluable cog in the Warriors' defensive machine and a solid offensive option with a consistent jump-shot.
As he prepares for a long-awaited return to the court, the ex-Memphis Grizzlies guard and eighth-place finisher in 2021-22 Sixth Man of the Year voting will aim to provide Golden State's aging core of Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green with yet another reliable three-and-D role player.
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