Golden State Warriors will have to begin the season with a notable absence. The California franchise announced that Brandin Podziemski will be sidelined for the clash against the Lakers that opens the regular season tonight, generating an unexpected void whose duration remains to be seen.
The guard had already missed the latest training sessions due to a back pain, but it wasn’t until last night that his absence for the game was confirmed, a piece of news that caught many by surprise. After all, Podziemski just finished playing all 82 games of last season, and in a team with an older average age, his youth should help him be a constant amid the frequent ups and downs of the roster. But, at least today, that won’t be the case.
His absence comes on top of the already known injuries to Jimmy Butler, Moses Moody, and Kristaps Porzingis, leaving Stephen Curry fairly exposed, who, despite the scare that ended the last exhibition game, seems set to play. ESPN reporter Anthony Slater notes that the plan is to give the point guard between 28 and 32 minutes, though the progression of the game will ultimately determine the exact figure.
Podziemski arrives with averages of 13.8 points and 3.7 assists during last season’s regular campaign, though his numbers rose to 17.5 points and 4.1 assists after the All-Star break, when injuries forced him to take on more responsibility. It is precisely this strong stretch that invites optimism about his development, which the Warriors appear to trust after signing him to a five-year extension worth $110 million.
