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Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half of the NBA game at Mortgage Matchup Center on December 18, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.
The Golden State Warriors continue to find themselves in a tough spot.
Heading into their Saturday, March 21, matchup against the Atlanta Hawks, the Warriors are once again shorthanded. They are wrapping up a back-to-back set, which started with a loss on the road against the Detroit Pistons.
During the Friday loss, the Warriors were led by Brandin Podziemski. He checked in for 30 minutes, shooting 4-10 from the field, and going 5-6 from the free-throw line. The veteran guard accounted for 15 points.
De’Anthony Melton was right behind him with 14 points on 5-14 shooting from the field in 23 minutes.
Once again, the Warriors faced injury concerns following their matchup in Michigan. The veteran forward Draymond Green was hardly productive in his 22 minutes out. He was held out later in the game, which eventually led to him being questionable against the Hawks.
Then, Kristaps Porzingis was ruled out after 11 minutes. He suffered a back injury. After the game, the veteran center placed doubt in his chances of playing on Saturday.
Warriors Announce Starting Lineup vs Hawks After Draymond Green Decision
GettyNEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – FEBRUARY 24: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after scoring against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first quarter of an NBA game at Smoothie King Center on February 24, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
The Warriors will start Brandin Podziemski, De’Anthony Melton, Gui Santos, Draymond Green, and Quinten Post.
The Warriors’ injury report included five names, who were questionable.
Draymond Green is dealing with a lower-back injury. Lately, the Warriors have been monitoring it, and recently held him out of two games against the Minnesota Timberwolves and the New York Knicks. Green played in the last three for the Warriors.
The Warriors also added De’Anthony Melton, who is managing his knee injury. This season, Melton is averaging 13.2 points and 2.3 rebounds in 39 games.
Beyond Melton and Green, the Warriors listed Quinten Post, Malevy Leons, and Gary Payton II as questionable as well.
Post, Leons, Melton, and Green were cleared to play.
A Look At The Warriors Lately
GettyStephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors sits on the bench during the second half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on November 22, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Before the Warriors’ first major domino fell (Jimmy Butler), the team was already considering itself mediocre. Considering they entered the 2025-2026 NBA season with championship goals, the Warriors were failing to pose a championship threat in the Western Conference.
Butler going down placed a major hit on Golden State’s title chances. The injury of Stephen Curry has had a major effect as well. The former MVP hasn’t seen the court since January 30. With Curry, the Warriors won 59.0% of their games. Without him, they’ve won 32.3% of their games.
Beyond Butler, Curry, and the questionable players from Saturday’s early injury report, the Warriors have also been without Al Horford, Moses Moody, and Seth Curry.
The Warriors enter Saturday’s game 10th in the Western Conference. They are 33-37, winning just two of their last 10 games. While they have a strong lead for the 10th seed, it’s clear they are going to have to get to the playoffs through the NBA Play-In Tournament.
Justin Grasso Justin Grasso is an NBA reporter, covering trending league news, transactions, injuries, and player developments. He is a credentialed journalist with nearly a decade of insider access. More about Justin Grasso
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