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Warriors need vintage Andre Iguodala if Klay Thompson is out

By Ryan Ocenada

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 20: Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball against the Houston Rockets during Game Three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 20, 2018 at ORACLE Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - MAY 20: Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball against the Houston Rockets during Game Three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 20, 2018 at ORACLE Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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A knee injury could sideline All-Star sharpshooter Klay Thompson and the Golden State Warriors will need veteran swingman Andre Iguodala to help fill the void. 

Klay Thompson suffered a knee injury during Thursday’s game against the Orlando Magic and sat out Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers, but fortunately, his most recent MRI results were encouraging as the Golden State Warriors guard isn’t expected to miss much time.

The Warriors will likely be cautious with their All-Star marksman, but his absence leaves the team with a significant hole in the starting five.

Alfonzo McKinnie assumed the starting shooting guard spot on Saturday against the Sixers, but the Warriors will need more from that position in case Thompson misses an extended period of time.

Enter Andre Iguodala.

The veteran swingman has earned a reputation for filling whatever the role the team needs from him. Iguodala also brings a calming influence onto the court, often settling the team down when things become too erratic.

Iguodala is averaging career lows in both minutes (23.8) as well as points (6.0) per game and those likely won’t change too much with the team’s emphasis on staying healthy for the postseason. However, the team still needs to win games to stay ahead of the Denver Nuggets for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.

McKinnie will likely continue to slot in as the starting shooting guard while Thompson is recovering, but Iguodala will need to increase his production to help supplement McKinnie’s contributions.

Iguodala is not the All-Star he once was, but he’s shown flashes this season that he provide an offensive spark in addition to his solid defense. He scored in double figures three times in December, including a season-high 23 points against the Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas Day. Also, the savvy veteran can still hammer down dunks when he wants to:

There is no replacing Thompson in the lineup, but fortunately, the Warriors are atop the playoff standings and do not need All-Star Iguodala to maintain the No. 1 seed in the West. A more consistent version of the veteran will more than make up for Thompson’s absence, especially on offense.

Looking three years into the Golden future. dark. Next

If the Warriors get an Iguodala who is looking to score while playing his usual lockdown defense, then the team will be able to weather Thompson’s injury.

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