Warriors Starter Ruled Out Hours Before Wizards Game

De'Anthony Melton was ruled out with a knee injury about 3.5 hours before Friday's game between the Washington Wizards and Golden State Warriors at Chase Center.

Melton missed three games between March 7 and March 15 before playing in sixth straight.

He played his first back-to-back of the season on March 20 and March 21. Up until then, the Warriors were holding him out of one leg of every back-to-back in attempt to not overtax his body after he returned from an ACL injury on Dec. 4.

Melton joins seven other Warriors listed as out. They are Stephen Curry (knee), Jimmy Bulter (knee), Moses Moody (knee), Al Horford (calf), Seth Curry (adductor), Quinten Post (foot) and Nate Williams (on G League assignment).

Warriors Will Have Just 10 Active Players

The Warriors' depth chart against the Wizards will look like this:

PG: Brandin Podziemski, Pat Spencer
SG: Will Richard, Gary Payton II, LJ Cryer
SF: Gui Santos
PF: Draymond Green, Malevy Leons
C: Kristaps Porzingis, Omer Yurtseven

Per usual, their biggest concern is wing depth. Santos is the only true wing who will be active on Friday. Expect Richard, Payton and Podz to guard players bigger than them at times, especially when Santos is getting a rest.

Melton's absence will probably lead to Richard getting the biggest playing time increase.

in Melton's last absence, Richard started and played 29 minutes. In his last two games, Richard has played just 31 minutes combined.

Payton Approaching Chamberlain Warriors Record

Gary Payton II has made 16 consecutive field-goal attempts over his last three games. The Warriors record is 19 straight makes by Wilt Chamberlain.

After Wednesday's game against the Nets, a reporter jokingly asked how Payton's game compares to Chamberlain's.

"Next question," Payton replied.

We'll see if Payton can continue his impressive streak.

Wizards Have Emerging 6'9" Rookie Big

The Wizards ended their 16-game losing streak with a 133-110 win over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday. Their leading scorer was undrafted rookie forward Julian Reese.

The former Maryland standout had 26 points and 17 rebounds. It was second double-double in six career games.

Reese had 12 points and six rebounds against the Warriors when Golden State beat Washington on March 16.

With Alex Sarr expected to play, it's not clear how many minutes Reese will get. But regardless of his playing time total, the Warriors will have to keep him off the glass.