#deanthony-melton

#deanthony-melton

De'Anthony Melton knows that every backcourt partner of Steph Curry will, fairly or not, be compared to the Golden State standard set by Klay Thompson. The five-time All-Star was the starting shooting guard next to Curry for all four of the team's modern-day titles, providing defense and the perfect off-ball complement to Curry's dynamism. Melton, who is rounding into form after missing an entire year rehabbing from left ACL surgery, had plenty of time to study Thompson as he rehabbed.

Melton suffered a partially torn ACL early last season after a misstep against the Dallas Mavericks on Dec. 11. He said he knew something was wrong at halftime of the game, but he played through it. After tests revealed the partial tear, Melton spent several weeks consulting with doctors before ultimately deciding on season-ending surgery. He had the procedure on Dec. 4, 2024. His season debut on Thursday night will be exactly one year after the surgery.

The Warriors are expected to have a veteran starting-caliber guard return to their lineup on Thursday when they face the 76ers in Philadelphia, but it won't be Stephen Curry. De'Anthony Melton, who has missed the first month-plus of the season rehabbing an ACL tear from last year, is set to make his season debut, according to ESPN. Melton, 27, signed with the Warriors in the offseason as a free agent after suffering the knee injury last November