The Warriors will be back at full strength for Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
About 90 minutes before the 6 p.m. PT tip-off Wednesday night, Golden State coach Steve Kerr announced that veteran Andre Iguodala would be available after missing Game 2 with right knee inflammation. Guard Gary Payton II (fractured left elbow) and Otto Porter Jr. (left foot soreness) were also listed as questionable as of Wednesday afternoon but will play.
"They're all good to go," Kerr said.
The 38-year-old Iguodala gave an on-brand response to reporters asking about his health Tuesday, simply saying, “I’m alive.”
Iguodala has appeared in four of a possible 18 postseason games this season while dealing with neck and knee issues. The trusted veteran and defensive whiz played 12 minutes in Game 1 but was a late scratch for Game 2, opening up minutes for unsung hero Nemanja Bjelica.
Beli made a nice impact for the Warriors in Game 2, especially during the second quarter, but the Warriors would probably rather have Iguodala in the lineup. Andre has appeared in seven NBA Finals since 2015, six with the Warriors and one with the Miami Heat in 2020.
Knee, hip and back issues limited Iguodala to just 31 games in the regular season. You have to think that retirement is a very real option for Iguodala, who will likely get a statue outside of Chase Center one day. Iguodala recently told NBA.com’s Mark Medina that he made up his mind already on possible retirement this summer, but he didn’t want to share his decision yet.
Iguodala has been a valuable mentor and de facto assistant coach for the Warriors this postseason, but they’d rather squeeze some more minutes out of him before he hangs ‘em up.
Listed at 6-foot-6, Iguodala’s range, size and strength will be helpful against Boston’s powerful wing duo of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Co. His passing and on-floor leadership under pressure is also a key asset for the Warriors.
Second-year center James Wiseman, who has missed the whole season with a knee injury, will be the only player unavailable for Kerr in Game 3.
