The Warriors picked a good time to get healthy.
Before Thursday night’s Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Warriors coach Steve Kerr announced that Gary Payton II (fractured left elbow), Otto Porter Jr. (left foot soreness) and Andre Iguodala (neck) will be available. Iguodala has missed the past 11 games, Payton the last nine and Porter the last two.
All three players, even if limited, will be big additions to the rotation against the lengthy and deep Celtics squad.
“All three guys felt good this morning,” Kerr said. “We’ll see how it plays out. I think a lot of our decisions, especially here in Game 1, gotta feel how the game’s going, try to decide what combinations we need out there. But it’s great to have all three guys back. I think all three can contribute for sure.”
Payton’s return is probably the biggest emotional boost for the team and Dub Nation, as it appeared his season could have been over on May 3 when he landed hard on the floor following a “dirty” Flagrant 2 foul from Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks.
Now the defensive stopper is back and trying to add to his postseason run, as he played a starring role in the Game 5 clincher against the Denver Nuggets in the first round.
Iguodala brings championship experience, as he won the 2015 NBA Finals MVP and took part in the subsequent four Finals runs with the Warriors. NBA.com's Mark Medina asked Iguodala Wednesday if he would retire this summer, but he didn't want to answer the question yet.
Both he and Porter’s size will be welcome against the Celtics and their sizable team that features forwards Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Robert Williams and Al Horford. Porter also brings the team another outside shooting threat to help space out the floor, something Kerr loves to do as much as possible.
