Warriors and Spurs shorthanded in Game 3
The Golden State Warriors and the San Antonio Spurs will both be missing players in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.
Both teams will be a little shorthanded heading into Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals. The Golden State Warriors will be without Zaza Pachulia. The San Antonio Spurs will be missing Kawhi Leonard.
Pachulia exited Game 2 with a left heel contusion. The Warriors took a huge lead and there was no need for him to return. He’s averaging 6.1 points and 4.3 rebounds in 14.5 minutes per game in the postseason.
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Leonard, who was recently named one of the three finalists for this year’s MVP award, will miss his second straight game of the series. Including Game 3 of this series, he will have missed 14 of his team’s last 16 playoff quarters.
The only thing that has been able to effectively stop the two-time Defensive Player of the Year is his ankle. He’s averaging 27.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game in the postseason. Defensively, he’s been spectacular, especially against James Harden and the Houston Rockets.
Andre Iguodala is listed as probable with left knee soreness. He also missed the second game of the series. The Warriors want to be extremely cautious with him.
This year’s Western Conference Finals had the potential to be one of the best series we’ve seen in a while. Unfortunately, injuries have taken their toll. While no loss is bigger than Leonard’s, the Warriors will need to be healthy for the next round if and when they advance.
Even with San Antonio’s best player sidelined with injury, Golden State cannot take their foot off the gas. They have a chance to take a big 3-0 lead over a well-coached team.