SAN FRANCISCO — Coach Steve Kerr stays optimistic that Klay Thompson can be prepared for the Warriors’ season opener subsequent week however definitively dominated Andre Iguodala out for the beginning of the common season.
Thompson scrimmaged for the primary time with the crew Tuesday forward of the Warriors’ preseason sport towards Portland and will play in Golden State’s preseason finale Friday at Chase Middle towards Denver, Kerr stated. The 32-year-old capturing guard beforehand stated he didn’t play in any five-on-five through the offseason due to a psychological block stemming from the 2020 offseason when he ruptured his Achilles tendon in a pickup sport.
However two different key veterans — Draymond Inexperienced and Iguodala — have been absent from Tuesday morning’s scrimmage.
Inexperienced, 32, stays away from the crew after he punched Jordan Poole within the face at follow final week. Kerr stated he'll deal with Inexperienced’s timeline after Tuesday’s preseason sport.
And Iguodala, 38, nonetheless hasn’t performed five-on-five since he determined to return out of retirement and signal a one-year cope with Golden State a day earlier than camp opened. He received’t be prepared for opening night time Oct. 18 towards the Lakers.
“He received’t be prepared for the primary sport,” Kerr stated. “We're going to push that again and actually have a look at the massive image. It’s an 82-game season, so we wish him wholesome long run. Provided that he wanted a while in camp and get the place he must be, he received’t be prepared by opening night time.”
The Warriors are enjoying it protected with Iguodala, particularly after how final season performed out.
Iguodala performed almost 21 minutes an evening for the primary 12 video games, enjoying a key position in serving to jumpstart the Warriors’ scorching begin whereas then-rookie Moses Moody was in Santa Cruz with Golden State’s G League affiliate and fellow rookie Jonathan Kuminga noticed restricted minutes. However that heavy workload on the frontend of the season took its toll on Iguodala’s physique.
Iguodala performed in 31 common season video games, lacking many of the second half of the marketing campaign as he handled numerous accidents. A disc harm in his neck shelved him for many of the postseason, too.