Lindy Waters III’s knee injury forced him to exit the game in a concerning moment during the Golden State Warriors’ Friday night matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies. The 27-year-old forward landed awkwardly while contesting a shot in transition, resulting in a left knee hyperextension that will keep him sidelined for the rest of the contest.
Waters III had earned a spot in the Warriors’ starting lineup for the game, filling in for the injured De’Anthony Melton. The Oklahoma State product was making the most of his increased playing time, scoring 8 points on 3-of-4 shooting in just 11 minutes of action before the injury occurred late in the second quarter.
The incident happened as Waters III hustled back on defense to meet Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama at the rim. The Warriors wing got up to swat away Aldama’s quick break layup attempt, but his left leg buckled awkwardly as he landed. Waters III immediately grabbed at his knee in clear discomfort, needing assistance from the training staff as he made his way to the locker room.
Just before the start of the second half, the Warriors officially ruled Waters III out for the remainder of the game due to the left knee hyperextension. Rookie Brandin Podziemski took his place in the starting lineup to begin the third quarter.
This setback is certainly a tough break for Waters III, who had been making the most of his opportunity with the Warriors. After going undrafted in 2020, the 6’7″ wing has steadily carved out a role for himself in Golden State’s rotation through his reliable 3-point shooting and all-around hustle.
On October 30th, Waters III made his first start of the season against the New Orleans Pelicans, showcasing his two-way ability with an impressive 21-point, 8-rebound, 4-assist performance. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has praised the depth Waters III has added to the lineup, noting his consistent impact since training camp.
“Lindy’s been great,” Kerr said earlier this season. “He’s really stepped up and made the most of his opportunities. His shooting, his defense, his energy—it’s all been a big boost for us.”
Injury-plagued Waters III and Melton will force the Warriors to rely even more heavily on their backcourt depth. Veteran Buddy Hield, young guns Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski, as well as the always-energetic Gary Payton II, will be counted on to pick up the slack.
The timing of this injury is particularly challenging, as the Warriors look to bounce back from a slow 4-6 start to the season. Losing a key two-way contributor like Waters III, even if just temporarily, could prove costly as the team battles to climb the Western Conference standings.
Fans and teammates alike will be closely monitoring updates on Waters III’s status in the coming days. The Warriors will certainly hope this injury proves to be nothing more than a minor setback for a player who has quickly endeared himself to the organization and its passionate fanbase.