Moses Moody's return to the Golden State Warriors this season is shrouded in uncertainty. The promising starter has been sidelined for eight consecutive games following a wrist sprain against the L.A. Clippers earlier this month.
Before his injury, Moody was hitting his stride, showcasing his potential as a breakout star. However, his comeback is now in doubt after Warriors head coach Steve Kerr provided a less-than-encouraging update prior to their recent loss to the Boston Celtics.
Kerr mentioned that Moody isn't "as close as we'd hoped," highlighting that the 23-year-old is still limited to practicing with his left hand. With only 13 games left in the Warriors' season, the decision looms whether to push for his return or preserve his health, especially as the team's playoff prospects dim.
Moody's wrist has shown slight improvement, but his timeline for rejoining the lineup remains uncertain. His absence marks the eighth game missed, with Kerr noting his left-handed practice sessions as a sign that his return might still be distant.
The Warriors are feeling the impact of Moody's absence, compounded by injuries to key players like Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, Al Horford, and Seth Curry. Moody had been a pillar of health before this setback, playing in 59 straight games after missing the season's first two. He started in 48 games, including a streak of 35, marking the most consistent stretch of his career.
Golden State is struggling without Moody, posting a 2-6 record since he was sidelined. His 3-point shooting has been sorely missed; he leads the team with a 40.2% success rate from beyond the arc, contributing to a career-high 11.9 points per game.
Despite still ranking second in 3-pointers attempted, the Warriors have slipped to 25th in 3-point percentage at 33.5%. Their recent performances from deep have been lackluster, shooting 9-of-32 against the Wizards and 10-of-43 in the loss to the Celtics.
Regardless of whether Moody returns this season, his individual progress has been a bright spot. Yet, seeing him finish the campaign strong would be a fitting conclusion to his impressive development.