Brandin Podziemski Ruled Out Against Lakers With Back Injury

Brandin Podziemski is officially out for Wednesday's matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers thanks to a lingering back injury.

Back issues in October are the NBA equivalent of a check engine light on a car you just drove off the lot. You do not just keep driving and hope for the best, especially when you just handed the driver a five-year, $110 million contract extension. The Golden State Warriors are treating their newly paid guard like fragile cargo, and they are absolutely right to do so.

"Underdog NBA reported: 'Brandin Podziemski (back) listed out for Wednesday.'"

The timing is a tough break for a Golden State offense that looked perfectly in sync with him on the floor. Podziemski just lit up these same Lakers for 17 points and five rebounds in a 101-89 win last week. He followed that up with another 17-point performance against the Portland Trail Blazers.

With the second-year guard stuck in street clothes, head coach Steve Kerr has to shuffle a rotation that is already looking for answers. De'Anthony Melton is the obvious next man up to fill the void at shooting guard next to Stephen Curry.

For anyone staring at the prop markets, this absence completely scrambles the board. Taking a high-usage guard out of the starting lineup means a lot of extra shots and minutes are suddenly up for grabs, making the Golden State backcourt a volatile puzzle for Wednesday night.

The Warriors have to tighten up defensively after giving up 128 points to Portland in their last time out. We will see if Melton can provide the necessary spark against Los Angeles, while Podziemski gets intimately familiar with a giant ice pack.