SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 20: Golden State Warriors’ Andre Iguodala #9 warms up earlier than their NBA recreation towards the Sacramento Kings on the Chase Heart in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Dec. 20, 2021. (Jane Tyska/Bay Space Information Group)
OKLAHOMA CITY — As quickly because the Warriors received Andre Iguodala again, he was gone once more.
Iguodala, 38, performed six minutes within the first half of Golden State’s 110-98 win over the Thunder on Monday — his first minutes in eight video games, or greater than two weeks — however by no means returned after halftime. He felt his again tighten up, coach Steve Kerr stated afterward, describing Iguodala’s well being as a “concern.”
Iguodala acquired therapy Tuesday and advised Kerr that he was feeling higher however was dominated out for the Warriors subsequent recreation, Wednesday at Utah, anyway.
“He hasn’t performed after which his first recreation again it tightens up. It’s undoubtedly a priority,” Kerr stated. “We want him. You may see how good he was in that first half. He simply does so many issues for us. I’m undoubtedly involved.”
In six minutes Monday, Iguodala knocked down an open 3-pointer, facilitated two extra baskets, grabbed two rebounds and compelled a steal. Within the second half, Kerr turned to rookie Moses Moody, who contributed a pair of buckets, together with a 3-pointer, and earned rave evaluations from Kerr afterward.
“Moses performed in Andre’s minutes and did a terrific job,” Kerr stated. “It was good to get him some actually key moments in a pressurized recreation. I assumed he dealt with it fantastically.”
Iguodala has been efficient when on the courtroom — 7.9 factors per 36 minutes along with a profession excessive in assists (6.9 per 36 minutes) and a near-career excessive in rebounds (6.0 per 36 minutes) — however the Warriors have performed extra video games with out their savvy veteran (28) than they've with him (26).
Iguodala missed a stretch of 11 video games earlier this season with swelling in his knee, whereas a sore left hip stored him out for the previous eight. Again tightness is a brand new ailment. Along with any nagging accidents, the Warriors have additionally caught to their plan to search out relaxation days for Iguodala in hopes of protecting him recent for the stretch run and postseason.
“That is what occurs if you become old. You get extra simply susceptible and issues occur,” Kerr stated. “This has occurred just a few occasions. We had anticipated this considerably that Andre would miss some video games. However I used to be actually hopeful this was going to be the beginning of stretch for him.”