After missing the final four games of the Western Conference Finals with a leg contusion, the Golden State Warriors have already ruled Andre Iguodala out for Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Andre Iguodala injury update: pic.twitter.com/nkmrQNTRbt
— Warriors PR (@WarriorsPR) May 30, 2018
The update here outside of Iggy being ruled out is that Golden State is also calling the injury a bone bruise. That could be the reason that he’s been out for much longer than originally anticipated. Iguodala himself is in the process of getting a second opinion on the injury.
Set to take on LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Finals for a fourth consecutive year, this is no small news. The difference Iguodala makes against James cannot be overstated.
Note from last year's Finals w/ Iguodala injury in mind…
Iguodala on floor: GSW +60 in 141 minutes.
Iguodala off floor: CLE +26 in 99 minutes.— John Schuhmann (@johnschuhmann) May 29, 2018
Golden State might very well be massive favorites heading into the championship round, but Iguodala’s absense for the early part of the series could play a huge role here.
It’s going to be interesting to see how Warriors head coach Steve Kerr adjusts. We can expect Kevin Durant to guard James a vast majority of the time with Iggy still sidelined.