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Moses Moody of the Golden State Warriors.

Just when the Golden State Warriors were thinking it couldn’t possibly get any worse … it got worse.

Real worse.

Already battling the emotions of Jimmy Butler’s torn ACL and Steph Curry’s vexing knee trouble, the Warriors watched in dismay as rising star wingman Moses Moody tumbled to the floor in American Airlines Arena.

What appeared to be the easiest two points anyone could ask for, Moody broke loose with the basketball down the other end of the floor all alone. He rose up for a dunk but glitched midair. 

And then the air went out of the building. The optics of that entire movement looked horrifying. 

Moody incurred a ruptured patellar tendon. His season was over. And it was yet another reminder that the Warriors’ season was pretty much over. 

Nearly a month later, Moody, 23, is already well into his rehabilitation. He still has a long road to recovery ahead of him, but he’s not losing sight of one thing.

To come back better than ever.

Moses Moody Expresses Major Confidence in Comeback

With the only other option being to continue, the Warriors kept going, head at least halfway down. At one point can one expect a team to really compete when several crucial players are out with injury? Forget not having their contributions — it’s the mental toll it begins to take on the entire organization to keep battling while wounded. 

Moody’s injury was about as bad as any can get. But indeed, it’s upward and onward from here.

GettyMoses Moody of the Golden State Warriors reacts to the bench of the Miami Heat at Chase Center on January 19, 2026 in San Francisco, California.

For the 23-year-old Warriors star, it is all about what’s ahead and not what’s happened. He’s taking solace in the process, taking it a step at a time. 

“It’s a unique time in my life,” Moody told The Athletic. “Being able to slow down … have a routine, get better at some stuff.”

And then he dropped a few words all Warriors fans will delight in as they prepare for another single-elimation game Friday.

“Then coming back,” Moody said, “I think I will be able to be in a better place than I was when I left because of it.”

A Rising Star Season Cut Short

It’s easy to forget what Moody had done before he went down that night in Dallas. 

He was on his way to his 24th and 25th points had he safely converted that dunk. He exited the contest with 23 points and four made 3-pointers. The Warriors still won, but it felt as heavy as a 40-point defeat.

With other injuries on the roster, Moody took advantage of his increased opportunity. He went from averaging 9.8 points per game while shooting 37.4% from the 3 to averaging 12.1 points per game while boosting his long-range shooting percentage to over 40%. 

As Moody continues his recovery and has his eyes set on an inspiring comeback, he’s watching his team play its heart out.

Golden State has rallied valiantly over the final weeks of the season, though they lost quite a lot. Wednesday’s miraculous play-in win has suddenly shifted the mood as hopes of a continued run kick in.

Winning tonight and punching their ticket into the playoffs proper would be one immensely crowning achievement for these battered and bruised Warriors.