De'Anthony Melton's ACL injury a devastating blow for Warriors

The Warriors (9-2) began the season with at least four candidates vying for the role of Stephen Curry's backcourt partner: Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski, Buddy Hield and De'Anthony Melton.

A few weeks into the season, it was obvious that Melton was the perfect choice largely due to his defensive acumen. During the Warriors' dynastic run between 2014 and 2022, Curry benefited enormously from having Klay Thompson as his backcourt mate due to the latter's chops as a defender. While Melton can't light it up from deep like Thompson, he's a respectable shooter and one of the better perimeter defenders in the league. 

Of all of Golden State's choices, he seemed like the perfect foil for Curry to serve as the starting shooting guard.

That makes the blow the Warriors were dealt on Thursday all the more devastating. The team announced that Melton suffered a sprained ACL and will remain sidelined until further tests. Typically, even a partial tear of the ACL can rule a player out for at least a few months. 

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr acknowledged that the injury was "a concern" for the team heading into the rest of the season. 

"He's obviously a really important player for us and is a guy who we envisioned as, and has done a good job at, the starting 2-guard," Kerr said, per ESPN's Kendra Andrews. "It's a concern, for sure. We'll know more over the next few days."

Melton's value was on full display during the Warriors' 120-117 win over the Mavericks on Tuesday. In the fourth quarter, the Warriors missed seven consecutive field goals as the Mavericks took a seven-point lead with 4:02 left. At that juncture, Melton got a stop and converted on the other end with a huge three. The possession helped swing the momentum in the Warriors' favor, leading to Curry's 10-0 individual run that turned a deficit into a lead in a matter of minutes. 

As a starter, Melton is averaging 16.5 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals while shooting 50% from three with 3.5 three-pointers made per game.

In his absence, Kerr is expected to give Moody or Podziemski the starting role. Both youngsters are capable of holding the fort down, but Melton's absence will be sorely felt.