The Golden State Warriors endured a turbulent 2024-25 NBA season filled with highs and lows, leaving many with the feeling that the team never reached its true potential. Injuries played a major role in that narrative, with even stars like Stephen Curry affected during the playoffs. One example of the team’s challenges came from guard Moses Moody, who recently opened up about the difficulty of playing through a torn UCL (ulnar collateral ligament) in his thumb.
The fourth-year guard suffered the injury in March but continued playing through the pain as the Warriors pushed for a postseason berth. Speaking with 95.7 The Game’s “Willard & Dibs,” Moody explained the physical and mental hurdles he faced while dealing with the injury.
“It was really tough,” Moody admitted. “I didn’t know it was torn at that point, but I couldn’t really use [my thumb] and it hurt to catch the ball, to dribble the ball — all of that. But I could play around it. I told myself if I was going to be out there, I wasn’t going to use my hand as an excuse.”
Moody’s comments highlight how some injuries aren’t fully understood until deeper medical evaluations are performed. Despite his uncertainty at the time, Moody said his main focus remained on helping the Warriors reach the playoffs. “We were trying to make the playoffs going down the stretch,” he said. “And if I knew it was torn, I probably would have sat out — but we had to make the playoffs.”
Moses Moody #4 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball against the Houston Rockets in Game Six of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Chase Center
The injury severely limited Moody‘s ability to use his thumb in any basketball-related motion — an enormous challenge in a sport that demands constant control of the ball. “That ligament really is your thumb,” he said. “I couldn’t palm the ball, so pretty much anything involving my thumb was off the table. I had to learn to shoot and catch without it. It was weird at first, but after a while, that became my new normal. Now I’m trying to reteach myself how to use it again.”
see also
NBA Rumors: Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga reportedly had a potential destination, but one move prevents the deal
Before the injury, Moody was carving out an important role off the bench. At just 22 years old, his energy, versatility, and developing skill set were making him a reliable option in Steve Kerr’s rotation. His absence was felt by a Warriors team already dealing with multiple setbacks throughout the campaign. Another key blow came when Jonathan Kuminga suffered a significant injury during his best stretch of the regular season — a loss that prompted Golden State to reportedly explore a trade for Jimmy Butler.
These injuries have fueled ongoing concerns among players about the demanding nature of the NBA schedule. The increased physical intensity combined with a packed calendar has led to a rise in injuries across the league, and many players are voicing concerns about long-term health risks.
Several marquee stars — including Tyrese Haliburton, Damian Lillard, and Jayson Tatum — were among those affected by significant injuries this past season. As the league continues to evaluate the structure of its calendar and player workload, stories like Moody’s underscore just how much players sacrifice to stay on the floor when it matters most.
