Warriors' Podziemski Exits Season Debut With Injury Scare
Guard Brandin Podziemski leaves game less than four minutes into his first appearance of the season after a hard fall.
Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski exited Friday night's game against the Memphis Grizzlies less than four minutes into his season debut due to an injury. Podziemski was seen in visible pain on the court after a hard fall during a drive to the basket.
He retreated to the locker room at the next stoppage of play. The Warriors have not provided an immediate update on his status.
Podziemski had missed the Warriors' season opener on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Lakers with lower back soreness. His departure from Friday's game suggests a potential aggravation of that previous injury, and he also appeared to take a blow to the face from Grizzlies center Zach Edey.
Podziemski returned to the bench with 4:56 remaining in the first quarter, but re-entered the locker room with a large heat or ice pack wrapped around his lower back and did not re-enter the game.
Last season, Podziemski was a durable presence for the Warriors, appearing in all 82 games, one of 18 players in the NBA to do so. With an experienced roster, the team was anticipating him to be a consistent presence again this year, but his season has begun with an early setback.