MEMPHIS, Tenn. — On an evening when a lot of the Warriors’ largest stars will probably be out, Golden State is welcoming again considered one of its key gamers.
As anticipated, Draymond Inexperienced, Klay Thompson and Otto Porter Jr. have been dominated out for Monday’s recreation towards the Memphis Grizzlies for damage administration. And Gary Payton II was listed as questionable with proper knee soreness.
In the meantime, Andre Iguodala was left off the workforce’s damage report and is anticipated to make his return to the court docket after lacking the final 21 video games with a again damage.
Iguodala is anticipated to play 15 to 17 minutes off the bench, coach Steve Kerr mentioned earlier than the sport.
“Can’t wait to get Andre again on the market,” Kerr mentioned. “He’s one of many smartest gamers I’ve ever been round and admittedly, we’ve missed his court docket consciousness on each ends, his communication, his skill to deal with the ball and sort of play that point-forward position, it’ll be a welcome sight seeing him on the market.”
The Warriors had been taking part in it further protected with Iguodala, who had been experiencing tightness in his decrease again and has performed lower than six minutes since Jan. 21. The assumption had all the time been that he can be able to play come the postseason.
The return of Iguodala is a few much-needed optimistic information for Golden State who've been riddled with accidents this season.
Stephen Curry is out till no less than April 7 with a foot damage. Earlier than he went down, Inexperienced was sidelined for 2 months with a again damage and Thompson missed the primary half of the season as he labored his method again from surgical procedure. And heart James Wiseman has been shut down for the rest of the season as he offers with lingering knee points.
Whereas Iguodala can't essentially be the workforce’s go-to sixth man anymore, the 38-year-old’s expertise and ball-handling expertise will probably be essential for Golden State down the stretch.
“He’s so good. He’s all the time in the best place defensively [and] offensively, he does the identical factor… making the best performs and flattening clutch photographs, and simply being Andre Iguodala, Finals MVP, and a man who’s been so precious to this franchise,” Thomspon mentioned Sunday after the Warriors’ loss to the Wizards. “And I’m simply very excited he’s coming again, I actually miss taking part in with him.”