Warriors guard Moses Moody thought he had just made the dagger defensive play to put an exclamation point on a big victory against the Mavericks before his knee gave way Monday night.
Moody stole the ball from rookie Cooper Flagg while leading by five in overtime, and his leg gave out while he readied for a slam dunk before he came crashing down to the floor holding his knee.
He was quickly carted off the court while writhing in pain and holding onto his left knee, which appeared to be completely dislocated.
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There is no word on an official diagnosis, but the injury is believed to be serious.
Some online doctors on X speculated that this is a left patella tendon rupture, which would require surgery or more extensive treatment.
Moody has missed time all season and was in his first game back after sitting out nearly the entire month of March with a wrist and shoulder issue.
“It’s brutal, you know, we’ve been waiting [for him] to get back healthy,” Warriors forward Draymond Green told reporters. “Moses is a guy who does everything right … and he changed the game for us tonight.”
Golden State triumphed, 137-131, to improve to 34-38 on the season, as Moody’s teammates and coaches still appeared devastated from the injury.
The young guard led the team with 23 points on Monday.
“Mo is such a great human being,” coach Steve Kerr told reporters postgame. “Great teammate. Wonderful guy to coach. Just puts in the work every day and was brilliant [Monday night], by the way.”
The Warriors now have to brace for potentially losing Moody at a tough time.
They are holding onto their playoff lives with the victory Monday, as the team is the No. 10 seed in a crowded Western Conference.
However, lead guard Stephen Curry is battling his way back from injury and is expected back soon.
Golden State is 1 1/2 games back of the Trail Blazers for the No. 9 seed with just 10 games left.
