Warriors: Andre Iguodala Expects to Return to NBA Finals, Pain Subsides

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 20: Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors and fights for possesion with James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets during Game Three of the Western Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on May 20, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - MAY 20: Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors and fights for possesion with James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets during Game Three of the Western Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on May 20, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

The Warriors expect to get one of their starters back from injury sometime during this series as Andre Iguodala progresses in his recovery.

Warriors forward Andre Iguodala suffered a left knee contusion in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.

Iguodala has been out of the lineup ever since that injury occurred on May 20th, which is a surprisingly lengthy timetable for a return from a knee contusion.

Iggy even sought out a second opinion to help determine why his recovery was taking so long.

According to a report from ESPN’s Chris Haynes, Iguodala’s knee has been pain free for the last few days and we should see him back on the court soon.

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Haynes reports that Iguodala went through a full personal workout on Saturday and sprinted for the first time since he initially suffered the injury.

Haynes wasn’t able to confirm that Iggy would be good to go in Game 3.

“I aim to play in Game 3, but I’ve aimed to play in Game 2 and Game 3,” Iguodala told ESPN, “We’ll just have to see.”

“I’m optimistic Andre will play at some point in the series,” said Steve Kerr on Sunday. “He has gotten better gradually, but there’s no way of knowing for sure at this point.”

No one would probably confirm this, but I think Andre would’ve played in Game 2 if the Warriors would’ve lost Game 1. This report supports that idea because it indicates that Iguodala’s pain in his knee has subsided, and he was able to participate in a full workout a day before Game 2.

That thrilling Game 1 victory allowed the Warriors to be especially cautious in bringing back their 34-year-old veteran back from injury. And they had no trouble taking care of the Cavs with a wire-to-wire victory on Sunday night.

Next: Takeaways from Game 2 victory vs. Cavs

Golden State is a totally different team with Iguodala on the floor, and I hope we’ll be able to see the return of the Death Lineup in Cleveland for Game 3.