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Draymond Green thrilled by teammate’s Warriors return, his absence hurt team chemistry

Originally posted on HITC | By Luca Rosano | Last updated Oct 26, 2025 11:42 AM ET

The Golden State Warriors have started the 2025-26 season in style, opening with a 2-0 record.

Golden State kicked things off by breezing past the Los Angeles Lakers on opening night before edging out the Denver Nuggets in an overtime battle.

Steve Kerr’s side overcame a monster night from Aaron Gordon, who poured in a career-high 50 points, to come back and snatch the win from Denver.

Stephen Curry led the charge for Golden State with 42 points, while Jimmy Butler added 21. Draymond Green came close to a triple-double, finishing with 13 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists.

Draymond Green shares what De’Anthony Melton brings to the Warriors

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The Warriors have opened their season with two straight wins, even though they are still missing a couple of important pieces from their rotation.

Moses Moody is still sidelined due to a left soleus strain, while De’Anthony Melton continues to recover from left knee ACL surgery.

Melton is expected to be re-evaluated in a few weeks. The earliest he could be back is sometime in November.

Speaking about Melton’s absence, Green pointed out just how much the team missed him last year after his injury.

“When De’Anthony Melton got hurt last year, that really took a toll on our team.

“He was really good for us and a big piece of what we were doing. Then he got hurt and everything changed.

“He will be rehabbing, but we got the depth to withstand his rehab.”

De’Anthony Melton gets another go with the Warriors

During the 2024 offseason, Melton and Golden State agreed to a one-year contract worth $12.8 million.

The team believed he could solidify their two-guard position.

Early signs were positive, as he averaged 10.3 points across his first six games. But an ACL tear against Dallas in November 2024 sidelined him for the remainder of the season.

With Melton’s contract set to expire, Golden State sent him and three second-round picks to Brooklyn in exchange for Dennis Schroder.

He rejoined the Warriors in October 2025, and there is optimism he can return to form and contribute off the bench this year.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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