In the high-stakes world of NBA basketball, where every shot counts and injuries can derail dynasties, Golden State Warriors fans have been handed a silver lining amid last season’s frustrations. Moses Moody, the promising young wing, saw his breakout potential fizzle out in a late-season slump that left coaches scratching their heads and rotations in flux. But new revelations—and a parallel misfortune striking the Philadelphia 76ers—are painting that downturn in a whole new light, offering hope that Moody could reclaim his spot as a vital cog in the Warriors’ championship machine.
Flash back to post-All-Star break: Moody had finally cracked a consistent starting role under head coach Steve Kerr, injecting energy into a lineup hungry for youth and versatility. For a stretch, he was electric—averaging 12.8 points and 3.3 rebounds while scorching the nets at 49.2% from the field and a blistering 43.3% from beyond the arc over 14 straight starts. It felt like the 23-year-old was on the cusp of stardom, a reliable sharpshooter who could stretch defenses and complement the Splash Brothers.
Then, the wheels came off. In the final 13 regular-season games, Moody’s three-point shooting plummeted to a dismal 31.1%, forcing Kerr to tweak the lineup yet again. The playoffs were no kinder, with Moody managing just 33.3% from deep as the Warriors’ season sputtered to an end. Critics were quick to write him off, questioning if he had the mettle for big moments or if his hot streak was just a fluke. Moody faded from starting-lineup discussions, overshadowed by doubts about his reliability.
But here’s the plot twist that changes everything: Moody wasn’t just in a funk—he was battling through excruciating pain. It turns out he suffered a torn UCL in his thumb, an injury severe enough to require offseason surgery. In a candid offseason chat with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Monte Poole, Moody opened up about the ordeal: “I had to shoot with four fingers; I couldn’t grab the ball.” Imagine trying to drain threes while your hand feels like it’s betraying you—that’s the grit Moody displayed just to suit up.
This context hits even harder now, thanks to a fresh injury update from across the league. The Philadelphia 76ers, already scarred by an injury-plagued 2024-25 campaign, announced that rookie sensation Jared McCain has the exact same thumb injury. According to Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer, McCain could be sidelined for up to three months, potentially missing action until after Christmas. It’s a gut punch for Philly, especially after McCain’s rookie year was already abbreviated to 23 games by a meniscus tear. The Sixers were banking on his spark to fuel a rebound season, but now they’re staring down another extended absence.
McCain’s timeline underscores just how debilitating a torn UCL can be—and how remarkable it was that Moody powered through it at all. While McCain faces a lengthy rehab, Moody’s decision to play hurt, even at diminished capacity, speaks volumes about his toughness and commitment. It reframes his “collapse” not as a failure of skill, but as a testament to his warrior spirit (pun intended).
As training camps rev up and the new season looms next month, this news injects optimism into Golden State’s outlook. With the injury fog lifted, Moody emerges as a potential X-factor once more. Dismissed by many as a bench option, he now has a clean slate to prove the doubters wrong. If he regains that pre-injury form, the Warriors could boast a deeper, more dynamic rotation—pushing them squarely back into title contention.
For Warriors faithful, it’s a reminder that not all slumps are created equal. Sometimes, they’re just the cost of playing through pain. And with Moody healed and hungry, the future looks a whole lot brighter in the Bay.