Brandin Podziemski

Brandin Podziemski won't play Saturday against the Washington Wizards, but the second-year Golden State Warriors guard is closing in on his return to the lineup.

Podz reportedly "isn't yet nearing a return", but he is running at full speed. It may still be a few more games before he is back in the lineup, though he has already been out for a couple weeks. Buddy Hield, Moses Moody and Gary Payton II (calf) will continue to see extra minutes off the bench with Podz sidelined.

Curry will sit out the second leg of Golden State's back-to-back set, and Dennis Schroder (off the injury report) should see big minutes for the Warriors' depleted backcourt. Buddy Hield and Moses Moody (off the injury report) could also pick up some extra minutes.

Moody's absence leaves the Warriors without another perimeter contributor, as Brandin Podziemski and Gary Payton II were already ruled out. Lindy Waters III will likely play rotation minutes off the bench, but fantasy managers should not consider streaming him.

Including Tuesday's game against the Heat, Podziemski has missed five consecutive games, and Payton has missed the last six. They'll travel with the Warriors on a four-game road trip that starts on Thursday in Detroit. Podziemski and Payton may return during that period. While he has been disappointing when he was healthy this season, Podziemski offers a higher fantasy ceiling.