The Warriors are still holding out hope that Gary Payton II (fractured left elbow) and Andre Iguodala (neck) can return at some point during the postseason. Ideally, Golden State would love to close out the Dallas Mavericks Tuesday night in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals to give Payton and Iguodala another eight-day cushion to get their injuries right.
Warriors president of basketball operations/general manager Bob Myers joined 95.7 The Game’s “The Morning Roast” Tuesday to discuss the Dubs' deep playoff run and share the latest on GP2 and Andre. Check out Myers’ full interview below:
Near the end of the Q&A, Bonta Hill asked Myers if the team thinks the two key role players will be available for the Finals, if the Warriors make it as expected.
“They were both out there (Monday) doing different things,” Myers told hosts Bonta Hill and Joe Shasky. “It’s hard to say. They weren’t scrimmaging or anything like that. It’s hard to say how far away they both are. The good news is the fact that they’re out there working, means that they’re trying to get back. I can’t say which one’s closer or not. Gary’s doing a lot of stuff with his right hand, obviously that’s the one that’s not hurt. He’s doing his cardio and Andre’s out there shooting. But that’s not full-speed basketball.”
Payton fractured his left elbow after a flagrant foul by Dillon Brooks in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals. Iguodala's balky neck has limited him to just three first-round games against the Denver Nuggets this playoffs, but he has served as a valuable de facto assistant coach for Steve Kerr. Payton and Iguodala remain two of the Warriors’ most trusted defenders, especially in clutch situations.
No NBA team has ever won a seven-game playoff series after falling in a 3-0 hole. It seems like a matter of time before the Warriors close out the Mavs and start preparing for the Finals, which is set for June 2. The Eastern Conference Finals between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat are deadlocked in a 2-2 tie, meaning that series is going at least six games.
The Warriors would love to put their feet up on the couch and do some scouting from the comfort of their own home.
“The Finals days are already set,” Myers said. “If we can get past this series – I think that’s about eight days away – hopefully in that period of time we can see if we can get both (Payton or Iguodala) back or at least one back. I think both would help us. We gotta see what the next week brings.”
