The Golden State Warriors will be without reserve guard Brandon Williams for at least a week after he strained his left hamstring during Monday night’s 138-87 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, the team announced Tuesday.
Williams entered late in the first quarter and burst to the rim for two quick layups. He came up hobbled on the second and limped to the locker room after only 99 seconds of action. The Warriors soon announced that Williams was out with a hamstring issue and scheduled him for an MRI. The results revealed a mild strain, ruling him out for the Warriors’ demanding road trip to Houston, San Antonio, New Orleans, Dallas and Memphis.
A key bench contributor
Williams has been an immediate spark off the bench in his first season with the Warriors. He is averaging 10.4 points and 2.3 assists in only 16.4 minutes per game, providing scoring punch whenever Stephen Curry rests. He has scored 17 and 20 points in the two games Curry has missed this season, including a win over the LA Clippers during the Warriors’ current eight-game winning streak.
Left hamstring problems have followed Williams early in his NBA career. He strained the same hamstring during the 2025 preseason while with Dallas, and it later caused him to miss time last March while he dealt with tightness.
Warriors left depleted
The Warriors, who are surging at 8-3, are significantly depleted. Starting wings Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody are rehabilitating serious knee injuries. Projected starting centre Kristaps Porzingis has stepped away from basketball entirely. They also lost backup guard Will Richard to a UCL tear in his left thumb over the weekend.
Richard has been upgraded to questionable for the Warriors’ game in Houston on Wednesday night. He has explored the feasibility of wearing a splint on his left thumb and playing through the injury. Gary Payton II is also out with left knee inflammation.