“There’s no guarantee you can stay healthy,” Stephen Curry had said earlier and that remark now seems to be coming true. While Curry was optimistic that the Warriors’ veteran-filled roster would make their title run smoother, he also understood the flip side of experience: injuries. That’s the harsh reality of aging in the league, and the Warriors are no exception. With several veterans on the roster, they have more than one piece that could break down, and as the preseason unfolds, those early fears about health are already starting to show.

But this time, it’s not a player in his 30s going down. It’s 23-year-old Moses Moody, who’s set to miss the rest of the preseason. According to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, “Moses Moody will miss the final three preseason games with a left calf issue, per [Steve] Kerr. Warriors are hopeful he can get back in time for the regular season opener. Moody hurt it in practice recently. ‘Not too concerned,’ Kerr said.” 

Though Steve Kerr called it a minor setback, it’s only natural for Warriors fans to be on edge. After all, LeBron James’ sciatica started out as nothing more than “nerve irritation” too. Taking no chances, the Warriors have already scheduled an MRI for Moses Moody on Sunday as a precaution. He led the Warriors with 19 points and five 3-pointers last Sunday. 

The 23-year-old guard is entering the first year of his three-year, $39 million extension, and the team can’t afford to see one of its most promising young pieces sidelined before the season even tips off. Especially since he was expected to be in the starting lineup against the Lakers on Sunday alongside Curry, Butler, Green, and Horford—a mix that, as Kerr described, could have been “a really powerful combo.”

But for their second game against the Lakers, the lineup looks different. Draymond Green will anchor a group featuring Podziemski, Hield, Jonathan Kuminga, and second-year big man Quinten Post. Why? Because the four usual starters mentioned earlier are also sitting out.

The reason for Curry sitting out hasn’t been disclosed, though Kerr did mention he’s “banged up.” The plan is to rest him and have him ready for Tuesday’s game against the Trail Blazers in Portland. Horford, who played last Sunday and contributed three points, four rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and a steal in 14 minutes, will also be taking a rest this time. Butler is out as well due to personal reasons.

In their first preseason meeting, the Lakers were missing key pieces like LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Marcus Smart, which allowed the Warriors to claim a 111-103 win in San Francisco. For the second matchup, the Lakers will have Reaves and Smart back on the floor, while Doncic’s status remains uncertain.

Will age be the determining factor for the Warriors this season?

The Warriors are set to make history this season, starting right from opening night. They could be the first team ever to start four players aged 35 or older: Stephen Curry (37), Draymond Green (35), Jimmy Butler (36), and Al Horford (39). Yes, you read that right—four guys who are technically past the age most NBA stars even think about slowing down. Last season, they finished 48–34, grabbed the seventh seed in the West, but bowed out in the Conference Semifinals to Minnesota in a 1-4 series. Chasing a championship with a core in the twilight of their careers? That’s almost unheard of.

To put it in perspective, Curry himself became the oldest player in nearly three decades to lead a title-winning team in scoring when he turned 34 and guided the Warriors past Boston in 2022. Michael Jordan did it once, Dirk Nowitzki once, and even LeBron James only got close. But teams with a core this old often need youth to balance it out. That’s why the Warriors are leaning on young pieces like Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, and Brandin Podziemski. 

Coach Steve Kerr knows the history and the challenges, but he’s optimistic. “Players age a lot better now,” he said. “We have so much more information and better training methods, better performance teams to help them get the most out of their bodies. That’s why guys like Steph and Al Horford and LeBron are all still playing at such a high level. So I don’t worry too much.” He’s counting on his vets to stay fresh and the young guys to step up when needed.

Even the veterans acknowledge the challenge. Green, now 35, calls last season’s playoff sprint “crazy” and knows the wear and tear is real. History may suggest it’s tough for an older roster to make a serious title run, but the Warriors are betting that the right mix of experience, preparation, and young talent will keep them competitive all the way through the season.