Warriors' De'Anthony Melton: Receives 18 minutes in return
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Melton (back) recorded 10 points (4-11 FG, 2-6 3Pt), three assists and two rebounds across 18 minutes in Friday's 136-117 loss to the Cavaliers.
Making his return from a five-game absence due to a right lower back strain, Melton was part of a messy 12-man rotation which -- along with the blowout -- suppressed the minutes of all Warriors players. Though Stephen Curry shouldn't be in danger of falling below the 30-minute threshold in competitive contests, players like Melton could struggle to see enough playing time to deliver consistent fantasy value outside of deep leagues so long as head coach Steve Kerr keeps the 12-man rotation in place. The Warriors had entered Friday with a 7-1 record before being thoroughly outplayed by the Cavaliers and trailing by 41 points at halftime, so Kerr could look to shake up the team's substitution patterns heading into Sunday's matchup with the Thunder.
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Warriors' De'Anthony Melton: Gets green light Friday
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Melton (back) is available to play in Friday's game against Cleveland.
Melton will return to game action after missing five consecutive matchups due to a strained back. The 26-year-old has received fairly significant playing time off the bench through only three regular-season appearances, during which he averaged 6.3 points, 2.7 assists, 1.3 rebounds and 1.0 steals across 16.7 minutes per game. The club will likely choose to work Melton back to form slowly, though he could see extended playing time if Brandin Podziemski (illness) is unavailable.
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Warriors' De'Anthony Melton: Warming up with intention to play
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Coach Steve Kerr said that Melton (back), who is questionable for Friday's game versus the Cavaliers, will go through warmups before a decision is made on his availability, Sam Gordon of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Melton is in jeopardy of missing his sixth straight game due to a strained back. The 26-year-old's status will remain something to monitor ahead of tipoff at 7:30 p.m. ET. However, if Melton is unable to suit up, Gary Payton is a candidate for an uptick in playing time.
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Warriors' De'Anthony Melton: Questionable for Friday
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Melton (back) is listed as questionable for Friday's game versus the Cavaliers.
Melton is in danger of missing his sixth straight contest Friday while dealing with a strained back. While the 26-year-old guard has returned to 3-on-3 practice, it's unclear when he will see game action.
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Warriors' De'Anthony Melton: Set for re-evaluation Thursday
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Melton (back) participated in 3-on-3 scrimmaging at Wednesday's practice and will be re-evaluated Thursday in advance of Friday's contest versus Cleveland, Anthony Slater of The Athletic reports.
Melton has been sidelined since Oct. 27 due to a lower back strain and subsequent inflammation. The 26-year-old dealt with a different series of back injuries last season, which may lead the Warriors to exercise abundant caution, but Melton appears to be firmly trending in the right direction while dealing with nothing more than a strain. It's unclear if he'll need to ascend to 5-v-5 action prior to returning.
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Warriors' De'Anthony Melton: Out another three games
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Melton (back) will miss Golden State's next three contests, Anthony Slater of The Athletic reports.
Melton is dealing with inflammation in his lower back that will force him to extend his absence streak to at least five games. In his absence, Lindy Waters and Moses Moody are candidates to continue receiving increased playing time. Melton's next chance to suit up is against Cleveland on Nov. 8.
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Warriors' De'Anthony Melton: Remains out Saturday
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Melton (back) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Rockets.
Melton is dealing with inflammation in his lower back and will miss a third consecutive game Saturday. With the 26-year-old and Stephen Curry (ankle) both out, Lindy Waters and Moses Moody are candidates for an increased role. In three regular-season appearances, Melton has averaged 6.3 points, 2.7 assists, 1.7 steals-plus-blocks and 1.3 rebounds across 16.7 minutes per game.
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Warriors' De'Anthony Melton: Out at least two games
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Melton (back) won't play Tuesday against the Pelicans or Wednesday for a rematch against the Pelicans, the Warriors announced Monday.
Melton is dealing with a strained lower back, but imaging revealed no structural damage. Melton will be re-evaluated Friday, so he should be considered questionable for Saturday's game against Houston. Stephen Curry (ankle) is out and Andrew Wiggins (back) is questionable Tuesday, so Brandin Podziemski and Buddy Hield could see their fantasy appeal increase significantly.
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Warriors' De'Anthony Melton: Available to play Friday
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Melton (chest) is available for Friday's game against the Jazz.
Melton was initially listed as questionable Thursday due to a chest contusion and was later upgraded to probable, so the positive trend continued to the point that he'll be available for this contest. That said, Melton's fantasy upside shouldn't be very high since he's opening the season as a bench alternative in the backcourt behind Brandin Podziemski.
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Warriors' De'Anthony Melton: Upgraded to probable Friday
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Melton (chest) has been upgraded to probable ahead of Friday's matchup versus the Jazz.
Melton is dealing with a chest contusion, though he will likely suit up. The 26-year-old is expected to continue with his role off the bench, and his fantasy upside is fairly low as the Warriors and coach Steve Kerr have expressed interest in playing a 12-man rotation -- at least to begin the year.
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Warriors' De'Anthony Melton: Deemed questionable for Friday
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Melton is questionable for Friday's game against the Jazz due to a chest contusion.
Melton is one of three Warriors who have been listed as questionable for Friday's matchup, with Stephen Curry (hip) and Draymond Green (knee) being the others. Melton came off the bench in the season opener against Portland on Wednesday, and if he continues to feature in that role, his fantasy upside won't be very high going forward.
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Warriors' De'Anthony Melton: Running with second unit
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Melton will come off the bench in Wednesday's season opener versus Portland, Kendra Andrews of ESPN.com reports.
Melton started the Warriors' preseason finale, but he will return to the bench Wednesday. Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins will start in Golden State's backcourt as the Warriors trot out a frontcourt featuring Jonathan Kuminga, Draymond Green and Trayce Jackson-Davis.
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Warriors' De'Anthony Melton: Starting in finale
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Melton (back) will start at point guard in Friday's preseason finale versus the Lakers, Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
With Stephen Curry (finger) sidelined, Melton will start alongside Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, Draymond Green and Trayce Jackson-Davis. Melton is expected to back up Curry at point guard in the regular season.
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Warriors' De'Anthony Melton: Returns to practice
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Melton (back) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Kendra Andrews of ESPN.com reports.
Melton missed Tuesday's preseason contest due to mid-back tightness. However, Melton's return to practice is a good sign of his availability for Friday's preseason finale against the Lakers.
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Warriors' De'Anthony Melton: Out Tuesday vs. LAL
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Melton will not play in Tuesday's preseason matchup against the Lakers due to mid-back tightness, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports.
Melton is dealing with back tightness, though it is not expected to limit him into the regular season. The 26-year-old is expected to serve as Stephen Curry's primary backup, though he will have to compete for playing time with Buddy Hield, Moses Moody and Gary Payton in the backcourt. Melton's next chance to play will come Friday in a rematch with the Lakers.
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Warriors' De'Anthony Melton: Posts 16 points off bench
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Melton logged 16 points (6-12 FG, 4-9 3Pt), five rebounds and three assists across 21 minutes in Wednesday's 122-112 win over the Kings.
Melton's ability to slide into several different positions will add a much-needed layer to Golden State's scheme. Although the playmaker will often be seen as the off-guard, he can also be used to spell Stephen Curry, a role previously held by Chris Paul last season. Melton drilled four threes in the contest, and he can usually be counted on to attempt around five perimeter shots per game.
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Warriors' De'Anthony Melton: Slides to bench
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Melton won't start Wednesday's preseason game against the Kings, Anthony Slater of The Athletic reports.
Melton started but played only 12 minutes during the Warriors' preseason opener, and he'll give way to Brandin Podziemski at two-guard Wednesday. The pair appear to be competing for the starting shooting guard position, though both figure to hold a significant role, regardless of who starts.
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Warriors' De'Anthony Melton: Sees 12 minutes in preseason opener
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Melton posted eight points (3-7 FG, 2-5 3Pt), two rebounds, one assist and one steal in 12 minutes during Saturday's 91-90 preseason win over the Clippers.
Melton got the first crack at replacing Klay Thompson, who joined the Mavericks this offseason. Brandin Podziemski finished with four points (1-9 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 2-4 FT), five rebounds, four assists and two steals in 19 minutes off the bench. Buddy Hield ended with five points (2-7 FG, 1-5 3Pt), two rebounds and one assist in 17 reserve minutes. The three guards figure to compete for Thompson's vacant minutes all season.
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Warriors' De'Anthony Melton: Gets starting nod
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Melton is in the starting lineup for Saturday's preseason opener against the Clippers, Kendra Andrews of ESPN.com reports.
Melton signed with Golden State this offseason after spending the last two years with Philadelphia. While Melton was expected to compete for a bench role, he will be given the opportunity to start in the team's preseason opener.
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Warriors' De'Anthony Melton: Agrees to deal with Golden State
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Melton and the Warriors agreed to a one-year, $12.8 million deal Monday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
The Warriors quickly pivoted to Melton after Klay Thompson agreed to a three-year contract with the Mavericks, although that deal hasn't been finalized yet. Melton struggled with a lingering back issue last season, but when healthy, he's an elite defender and a capable three-point shooter. In 38 regular-season games with the 76ers last season, Melton averaged 11.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.6 steals and 2.0 three-pointers.