The Warriors have been very patient with Andre Iguodala this season, but it might go down as a burnt roster spot.
Golden State offered an update on Wednesday afternoon, saying Iguodala will undergo surgery on his left wrist next week after fracturing it against the Phoenix Suns on Monday night. The Warriors will provide another update after the surgery.
Iguodala was spotted wearing a brace on his left wrist during Wednesday night's game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Considering that there is less than a month left in the regular season, we have to assume it’s a real possibility that Iguodala could have played his final NBA game. He appeared to injure himself while bracing for a fall during a driving layup in the third quarter Monday night.
Earlier in the game, he threw down a reverse dunk, as he scored six points in 16 minutes.
The 39-year-old is in his 19th season and the league’s second-oldest player behind 42-year-old Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem. Iguodala has played in just eight contests this season, as the team brought him along slowly in an effort to keep him fresh for the stretch run and playoffs.
After making his season debut on Jan. 7, Iguodala lasted three games before sitting out the next 22 contests with hip soreness. Iguodala played in five more games before suffering his latest setback. For most of the season, he’s been something of an extra coach on the bench throughout the up-and-down season.
Warriors owner Joe Lacob has already said that Iguodala, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green will get statues outside of Chase Center one day, so his place in franchise lore is secure. While he didn’t play a huge role in last year’s postseason run, Iguodala is still a four-time champ and one of the most respected players in the league.
Beyond his longevity in the NBA, Iguodala has been known for his interest in investing, Silicon Valley and helping fellow players become more financially literate to set themselves up for success after retirement.
Iguodala played a big role in helping lay the foundation for the Warriors dynasty when he joined Golden State in 2013 as a free agent, at a time when the franchise wasn’t a destination. His leadership, high-IQ basketball and rabid defense played a big role in the first three titles of the dynasty run in 2015, 2017 and 2018. His inclusion in the smaller Death Lineup in 2015 helped him earn NBA Finals honors.
We’ll have to see what the report says after Iguodala’s surgery, but don’t be surprised if this forces him to hang up the sneakers.
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