The Golden State Warriors dropped a bombshell on Wednesday, revealing that their starting shooting guard, Brandin Podziemski, underwent surgery on his left wrist in Los Angeles on Tuesday. The 22-year-old, who shoots left-handed, had a debridement procedure to address the issue, which the team expects will have him ready for the start of training camp.
According to UCSF’s Department of Surgery, debridement surgery involves “thoroughly cleaning the wound and removing all hyperkeratotic (thickened skin or callus), infected, and nonviable (necrotic or dead) tissue, foreign debris, and residual material from dressings.” This procedure likely targeted lingering damage in Podziemski’s wrist, which may have been a silent saboteur during the Warriors’ postseason run.
Podziemski, a Santa Clara product, was a key piece of Golden State’s lineup last season, averaging 11.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists across 64 games, including 33 starts. However, his postseason performance raised eyebrows, as he shot a dismal 36.4% from the field over 12 games—a sharp drop from his 44.5% regular-season efficiency. The wrist issue could explain his struggles, particularly in Games 1 through 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he made just 9 of 40 shots. Podziemski showed flashes of his potential in the Warriors’ season-ending Game 5 loss, erupting for 28 points on efficient shooting.
The Warriors’ medical challenges don’t stop with Podziemski. Less than a week before his procedure, fellow guard Moses Moody underwent surgery on his right thumb, signaling a rough offseason for Golden State’s backcourt. Despite these setbacks, the team remains optimistic about both players’ recovery timelines.
Last season, the Warriors finished with a 48-34 record, overcoming the Houston Rockets in a seven-game first-round series before falling to the Timberwolves in the second round. As Golden State prepares for the upcoming season, all eyes will be on Podziemski and whether his now-repaired wrist can help propel the team deeper into the playoffs.