When Will De’Anthony Melton Return for Warriors? Insider Reveals Crucial Update on Guard’s Comeback From Injury Nightmare

The Golden State Warriors are getting De'Anthony Melton ready for a potential comeback in the 2025-26 NBA season. Melton is doing rehab for his torn ACL, which he suffered last season, after playing just six games for Golden State. Following sustaining the devastating injury, he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets.

This season, Melton is hoping to pick up where he left off. League insider Anthony Slater gave a positive update on the veteran guard's potential return on Wednesday. The organization announced that the 27-year-old guard will start getting integrated into practice.

Slater reported that Melton will have some practices with the team's G-League affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors. The report also said that the guard is in the late stages of an ACL rehab and will be re-evaluated after three weeks.

Explore the NBA Draft 2024 with our free NBA Mock Draft Simulator & be the GM of your favorite NBA team.

"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. He has intensified his individual and small group on-court workouts and will be integrated into team practice over the next two weeks, including with the Santa Cruz Warriors. He will be re-evaluated again in three weeks," the team reported.

Last season, the 6-foot-2 guard put up decent numbers for Golden State but was limited to just six games. During that stretch, he averaged 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists on 37.1% shooting from deep. The organization wants to give him another shot at proving himself to the team.

This is why he was pursued by the team over the summer, during free agency. Melton could be back in the team's rotation after three weeks.

---

Steve Kerr is still experimenting with the fifth Warriors' starter this season

Head coach Steve Kerr has established Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler and Jonathan Kuminga as part of this year's starting lineup. As for the fifth starter, Kerr told the media that he's still experimenting with it. The final spot is between second-year center Quinten Post and Brandin Podziemski.

According to the head coach, he wants to keep veteran big man Al Horford off the bench. This is why the final spot of the starting lineup is between the two young players.

"Yeah I mean I think this is going to be a pattern for us," Kerr said after the game. "I really just want to bring Al (Horford) off the bench. If he’s going to be 20 minutes, 20 to 25 minutes, I’d rather have him come off the bench and be able to close with him if we need to like we did against Denver."

The Warriors' rotation could also change after three weeks. With Melton returning, the club will have another effective backcourt player, which will help them this season.

Edited by Reign Amurao