The Golden State Warriors kicked off the NBA campaign with a 2-1 record in their initial week, capped by a 20-point defeat at the hands of the Portland Trail Blazers. They quickly rebounded in week two, securing consecutive victories against the Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Clippers in a back-to-back set.
Over the opening five contests, standout development has emerged from Brandin Podziemski and Jonathan Kuminga, pivotal young talents on the squad. In contrast, Moses Moody—selected in the same draft class as Kuminga—began the year on the shelf after undergoing thumb surgery.
His availability now hangs in the balance for Thursday’s matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks.
In their latest injury update ahead of the Thursday showdown, the Warriors designated Moody as questionable due to soreness in his right thumb—the very one repaired via preseason surgery for a torn UCL.
Since rejoining the team, Moody has appeared in three games, all as a reserve, posting an average of 13.5 points while connecting on an impressive 60.0% of his three-point attempts. His scorching perimeter efficiency has sparked optimism, yet his elite defensive prowess further cements his versatility across Golden State’s various lineups.
Golden State is slated to tangle with the 3-1 Milwaukee Bucks, fresh off a convincing home triumph over the New York Knicks.
Should Moody sit out, rookie Will Richard stands as the prime candidate to fill the void. The newcomer has logged under 10 minutes in each of the past two outings following Moody’s activation.
As a 2025 National Champion with the Florida Gators, Richard brings sharp outside shooting and tenacious defensive energy, aligning perfectly with head coach Steve Kerr’s rotational preferences.
Amid a grueling midwest swing featuring two games in three days, the Warriors might elect to hold Moody back unless he’s fully recovered, allowing recovery time prior to Saturday’s tilt against the Indiana Pacers.
Moody’s condition remains a key storyline to track through morning shootaround and leading up to tip-off in Milwaukee on Thursday. The contest tips at 8:00 p.m. EST on NBA TV, pitting two of basketball’s premier superstars against one another.
