Brandin Podziemski, who played every game last season, is sitting out the Warriors’ season opener against the Lakers because of lower back soreness. The fourth-year guard missed three days of practice and won’t be on the court Wednesday night. He was one of just 18 players to log all 82 games last year, averaging 13.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. Before the season, Podziemski signed a five-year, $110 million extension with the team. He did play in all five preseason games, putting up 14.2 points and 3.8 rebounds per game while shooting 39.3% from three.
The Warriors are also without Jimmy Butler III and Moses Moody to start the season, with both expected back later. Center Kristaps Porziņģis is out indefinitely for a private health issue. With Podziemski sidelined, De’Anthony Melton will start, and sophomores Will Richard and new addition Brandon Williams will key the second unit.
