SAN FRANCISCO — The Golden State Warriors have announced that guard De’Anthony Melton will need surgery on his knee, which will end his season.

The team revealed on Wednesday that Melton will soon undergo a surgical procedure to address a sprained left anterior cruciate ligament, which head coach Steve Kerr described as partially torn. Melton has missed the last two games and has been contemplating his situation over the past few days, according to Kerr. Following medical evaluations, the team determined that surgery was the most viable option for his injury.

In addition to his knee issues, Melton has also been coping with a chronic back problem. Before his injury, he was expected to take on a starting role in the backcourt alongside Stephen Curry, especially after Klay Thompson’s recent transfer to Dallas.

Kerr expressed his sympathy for Melton, stating, “It’s obviously terrible news. I feel so bad for De’Anthony, he fits our team perfectly, and we were all looking forward to seeing him as a starter next to Steph.” He also mentioned, “The positive aspect is that he is still young, and the surgery is quite routine today, so he should be able to come back and continue his career effectively. It’s just unfortunate for him and for us as well.”

In the six games he played, during which he made two starts, Melton averaged 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists while playing about 20 minutes per game. He has already missed five matches previously due to a lower back strain.

Moving forward, Lindy Waters III will step into the starting position, bringing defensive skills to the role, similar to Melton’s. He was already included in the starting lineup for the Warriors’ home game against the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.

Kerr plans to explore various player combinations as the team adjusts to this unforeseen change. He commented, “Fortunately, we have a deep roster, and other players will be ready to rise to the occasion.” He has been in discussions with Melton regarding his career and the guard’s upcoming free agency, indicating that there has been significant conversation behind the scenes.

Though Melton is understandably disappointed, he recognizes that the surgery is a necessary step. Kerr mentioned that Melton had spent the last few days trying to come to terms with the decision and understanding what’s best for his future. “You can’t play with a partially torn ACL and expect everything to be okay if you just push through it,” Kerr concluded.