Warriors Face Injury Setbacks on Road Trip Against Nets

Brooklyn, NY – The Golden State Warriors faced a worrying moment on Thursday during their game against the Brooklyn Nets when starting shooting guard Brandin Podziemski exited the match just 44 seconds into the first quarter due to a lower back injury. Podziemski signaled to the bench for a substitution before walking towards the locker room, visibly in pain.

“Brandin Podziemski is leaving the game in pain in Brooklyn in the first minute tonight. Grabbing at his lower back,” tweeted Anthony Slater, a sports journalist at The Athletic. This alarming incident marked another setback for the Warriors, who have been grappling with injury woes during their current road trip.

As the second quarter commenced, the Warriors confirmed that Podziemski had been sidelined because of lower back soreness. Although his status for the remainder of the game remained uncertain, the initial assessment suggested the injury might be mild.

“Podziemski has lower back soreness, according to the Warriors. Status to be determined,” shared Sam Gordon, another sports writer covering the team.

This latest injury marked the fourth for the Warriors on their road trip. Earlier, Jimmy Butler III had to sit out a loss to the Miami Heat due to back spasms. In another game on Monday, star guard Steph Curry rolled his ankle but continued playing and didn’t miss any time. Gary Payton II also sustained a nasal fracture during that game and was unavailable for Tuesday’s victory against the Philadelphia 76ers.

As the Warriors manage their current roster, they are preparing for the possibility of increased playing time for Buddy Hield and Moses Moody should Podziemski remain out. In the game against the Brooklyn Nets, the Warriors’ ability to adapt has been crucial as they navigate through a series of injuries.

Payton’s collision with LaMelo Ball during Monday’s game compounded the team’s injury concerns. The incident occurred when Ball drove to the basket and collided with Payton, leaving him on the floor clutching his face. This led to him being assisted to the locker room with a towel over his face, raising concerns over a possible serious head injury.

“It remains to be seen if Payton’s face and nose are OK,” noted NBC Sports Bay Area in an update after the Hornets game. “The Warriors held onto their lead over the Hornets without him.”

While the team continues to seek updates on Payton, Podziemski, and Curry, fans and teammates are hoping for positive news. The Warriors’ resilience will be tested as they aim to remain competitive despite having key players sidelined.

As this situation develops, the team’s performance in the upcoming games will be closely monitored, with lingering questions on how these injuries could affect their postseason aspirations.