SAN FRANCISCO — We’ve seen the wizardry from him before.
Over the years, Andre Iguodala has provided some showstopping behind-the-back passes that catch the defense off guard. During Saturday’s 115-101 loss to the Orlando Magic, it backfired for the sage veteran.
On a night when Klay Thompson was a last-second scratch from the starting lineup, Iguodala entered to a raucous applause just four-and-a-half minutes into the contest. It marked the season debut for the 38-year-old, who has now played in 19 NBA seasons.
With about five minutes left in the opening frame, the Warriors streaked down the court on the fast break. Iguodala tried to rifle a behind-the-back pass in traffic to Donte DiVincenzo, but the Magic snatched it and got an easy Paolo Banchero dunk at the other end. It was that kind of night for the Dubs.
After he got derailed by hip, back and knee issues with overuse in the second half last season, Iguodala was basically a non-factor in the title run last summer. This season, the Warriors wanted to bring him back slowly, in an effort to keep him in shape for April and beyond.
“Andre hasn’t played since the Finals last year,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “It’s been a long time.”
It took 40 games for Iguodala to make his 2022-23 debut, so some rust was expected. On Saturday, Iguodala played 12 minutes but didn’t attempt a field goal, recording two rebounds and an assist in a quiet evening off the bench.
Andrew Wiggins also returned to the starting lineup for the first time after missing 15 games. Typically an energetic ironman, it marked the longest absence of his career. He admitted it was a bit harder to come back than he imagined. Wiggins was limited to 19 minutes, scoring 12 points on 4-of-12 shooting while posting a team-worst minus-22.
“Just felt a little rusty out there,” Wiggins said. “Trying to get my feet right, get back in rhythm. I know it’s gonna take a little time. Put in a little work and I’ll be good. I just felt a little slow, that’s it. One step slow.”
You could say that about the entire team on Saturday, as the Magic didn’t encounter much defensive resistance throughout the night.
“When you have guys coming back, injecting them into the lineup is never easy,” Kerr said. “There’s a little bit of shift in different rotations, there’s some rust. It’s a tough night all around.”
Before he left, Wiggins was playing at arguably an All-Star level. Defense was a big part of that, but so was his offensive growth. His shooting was particularly hot, as he shot a career-high 45 percent from 3-point land before an adductor strain sidelined him for 10 games. Then came two bouts with illness that knocked him out an additional five contests.
Wiggins hopes he can get back to his pre-injury form.
“I felt like I was in a great rhythm,” Wiggins said. “Every shot that I shot felt like it was going in.”
Wiggins was aggressive with his shot early but went just 2-of-7 from 3-point land.
With Klay out and the vets getting their bearings, forward Anthony Lamb was the unexpected offensive star of the night. Lamb scored a career-high 26 and poured in 22 in the first half alone, as he made his first four 3-pointers. Lamb cooled down as the game went on, though, going 1-of-10 from distance the rest of the way.
“Lamb was great,” Kerr said. “He kept us in the game early with his 3-point shooting and gave us a chance.”
Despite not profiling as a 3-point shooter before this season, Lamb now has a 39.4 clip from beyond the arc this season. If he can be a spot-up shooter and continue to space the floor like Otto Porter Jr. last year, the Dubs would be ecstatic.
“I just put my head down and work on my shot,” Lamb said. “I know myself as a player. I know what I need to bring the team to help the team. I try to stay in that lane. Sometimes I get out of it, but most of the time I try to stay right in that lane.”
The two-way player appeared in his 32nd game this season, meaning he has 18 more NBA appearances before the Warriors have to keep him in the G League or sign him to a full-time spot. He and fellow two-way player Ty Jerome appear to be competing for the No. 15 roster spot, though it could also be filled in a trade as the Feb. 9 trade deadline approaches.
“It’s not even really about proving myself,” Lamb said. “The biggest thing – playing for the Warriors, I view the Warriors as the best team in the NBA. Like, I’m growing up and watching the Warriors be the best team in the NBA. That’s not what our record shows right now. I want to help in whatever facet I can to make us get to that point.”
The Warriors will continue to be in patch-work mode for the foreseeable future. Last season, key players would get hurt just as others would return. Klay's knee soreness comes as Wiggins and Iguodala came back. Steph Curry (left shoulder) could also be rejoining the team soon, as JaMychal Green (leg infection), James Wiseman (sprained ankle) and Jonathan Kuminga (sprained foot) work their way back from injuries.
"That's what it's like in the NBA," Wiggins said. "Injuries are unfortunate but it's part of the game. Everyone just has to stay ready. You never know what could happen or who's gonna be out there."
