Warriors Guard Cory Joseph Returns to Practice Following Back Injury
In a positive development for the Golden State Warriors, guard Cory Joseph returned to practice on Wednesday after recovering from a lower back lumbar strain that had sidelined him over the summer. The injury had also prevented Joseph from representing Canada in the FIBA World Cup.
Describing the injury, Joseph recalled feeling tightness and discomfort in his hips, which caused spasms in his back during certain movements. Despite the Warriors having a light practice session without scrimmaging, Joseph was able to participate in shooting and defensive drills as well as 5-on-0 work. He expressed satisfaction with his physical condition and his progress thus far.
At the age of 32, Joseph is entering his 13th NBA season. He perfectly fits the profile of what the Warriors were seeking during the offseason: intelligent players with a high basketball IQ. Last season with the Detroit Pistons, Joseph ranked eighth in the league with a 3.9 assist-to-turnover ratio. He averaged 3.5 assists and only 0.9 turnovers in 62 games, playing an average of 19.8 minutes per game. Throughout his career, Joseph has maintained an average of 3.0 assists and 1.0 turnovers per game, never exceeding 1.4 turnovers per game.
Given the Warriors’ league-leading assists per game statistics from last season, Joseph’s style of play is a welcome addition to the team. His leadership qualities and career trajectory are also highly regarded within the organization. Joseph’s early career closely resembles that of Warriors rookie guard Brandin Podziemski. Both players were selected in the first round of the NBA Draft after only one season of college basketball experience.
During Joseph’s time with the San Antonio Spurs, he had the opportunity to learn from Hall of Fame coach Gregg Popovich, as well as legendary players like Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker. Similarly, Podziemski can seek guidance from Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who will likely be inducted into the Hall of Fame himself, along with esteemed players such as Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Chris Paul. Joseph now becomes part of this mentorship group, providing valuable insights and experiences to help guide Podziemski’s development.
While sidelined, Joseph had the chance to observe Podziemski’s NBA preseason debut in which he performed exceptionally well. Podziemski recorded 11 points, six rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block in 26 minutes off the bench during the Warriors’ victory against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Joseph expressed his admiration for Podziemski’s performance and praised his work ethic during training camp, drawing parallels between their experiences as rookies. Their open and collaborative dialogue allows them to share insights and help each other improve.
Throughout the upcoming season, Joseph is expected to play a crucial role in the Warriors’ success, particularly when Curry or Paul require rest or in the event of injuries. However, there may also be games where Joseph remains on the bench for the entire duration. Regardless, Kerr acknowledges Joseph’s impact as a dependable and supportive member of the team.
While it remains unclear whether Joseph will be available for the Warriors’ second preseason game against the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on Friday night, his return to practice marks a significant milestone in his recovery.