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By Alex Kirschenbaum
Contributing Entertainment Writer
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A critical Golden State Warriors guard has suffered a concerning injury during his team's preseason finale, ahead of the the start of the 2025-26 regular season.
More news: Warriors Young Guard Receives Major Prediction Ahead of Season
The Warriors are currently trailing the LA Clippers 42-30 midway through the second quarter of their ongoing clash in Chase Center. Now, Golden State could be without one of its starters the rest of the way.
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Per Brett Siegel of HoopsHype, Warriors shooting guard Brandin Podziemski has been diagnosed with a left hip contusion. Per Siegel, the third-year pro's status for the rest of the contest remains up in the air as of this writing.
In the 6:42 of action, Podziemski (who jumped at small forward with Jimmy Butler ailing due to an ankle injury) has three points on one triple try, two boards, and a discouraging -9 plus-minus.
For now, 11-time All-NBA superstar point guard Stephen Curry paces the Warriors with seven points on 2-of-6 shooting from the floor (1-of-3 from distance) and 2-of-2 shooting from the charity stripe. He also has nabbed two assists and a board.
More news: Warriors’ $37.5 Million Guard Suffers Injury, Undergoing MRI
On the Clippers side, new free agent signing Bradley Beal has notched 10 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the floor, along with a pair of rebounds and a block.
The preseason has become an increasingly difficult NBA phenomenon to justify. The games are exhibition contests that do not count for anything, and last for two weeks ahead of an 82-game regular season that has for years been derided for its unnecessary length. Why should teams have to assume additional risk for their players during these preseason bouts.
On top of that, the playoffs last for over two months, and are now preceded by a week of play-in tournament qualifying games.
A Key Cog for Golden State
Podziemski has emerged as one of the more crucial young role players the Warriors are now counting on to help bolster their depth on team-controlled deals.
Golden State picked up its $3.7 million club option on the 22-year-old's contract for this season already, and has a $5.7 million option on his services for next season that appears to be a no-brainer. He'll be extension-eligible starting next summer.
Last year, Podziemski averaged 11.7 points on .445/.372/.758 shooting splits, 5.1 rebounds, 3.4 dimes, and 1.1 swipes.
Podziemski appears to be the leader in the clubhouse for the Warriors' fifth starting spot, likely alongside four veterans who are all 35 or older, with ample playoff mileage between them: 37-year-old Curry, 36-year-old Butler, 35-year-old Green, and 39-year-old Al Horford. There is a chance that Golden State head coach opts to keep Horford in a bench capacity to better manage his minutes. Moses Moody and De'Anthony Melton might also have a shot at the starting shooting guard gig, as could Friday's starter, Will Richard.
More news: Warriors GM Doesn’t Hold Back on Steph Curry Doubters
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