Blue Man Hoop
Fansided

Golden State Warriors veteran to make long-awaited return against Magic

By Peter O'Keefe

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 18: Andre Iguodala #9, Stephen Curry #30, Draymond Green #23, and Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors pose with their championship rings in front of a championship banner during a ceremony prior to the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Chase Center on October 18, 2022 in San Francisco, 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 18: Andre Iguodala #9, Stephen Curry #30, Draymond Green #23, and Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors pose with their championship rings in front of a championship banner during a ceremony prior to the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Chase Center on October 18, 2022 in San Francisco, 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Golden State Warriors veteran Andre Iguodala has announced he’ll make his long-awaited return to the floor against the Orlando Magic at Chase Center on Saturday.

Turning 39 at the end of the month, Iguodala will officially begin his 19th NBA season having not taken to the floor since re-signing with the Warriors in September.

38-year-old Andre Iguodala will return to the court for the Golden State Warriors on Saturday, but what does he have left to give the surging reigning champions?

The four-time champion announced the return on his point-forward podcast with Evan Turner, providing Warrior fans with the first of what they hope will be plenty of good news on the injury front in the coming week.

"“We got 24 hours till I step on the court. Hope the fan base is excited. I’m a little nervous but I’m also excited. I try to play cool, calm and collected all the time but excited to get there on the court. A lot of folks been asking — patience is a virtue and now we’re here.”"

Iguodala played six seasons with the franchise before being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in a salary-dumping move to acquire D’Angelo Russell in the 2019 offseason. He failed to play for the Grizzlies though and eventually had a stint with the Miami Heat before rejoining the Warriors in 2021 free-agency.

After a positive start in his second stint with Golden State, Iguodala battled injury issues throughout the majority of last season. He played in 31 regular season games and made seven playoff appearances, including being on the floor at the final buzzer of the Warriors’ triumphant game six win in Boston.

He made the franchise wait before re-signing for what will be his final season. Iguodala’s basketball smarts and leadership qualities make him an invaluable resource off the floor, but given the team’s spate of recent injuries and player availability, some fans have been critical of Iguodala’s presence on the playing roster.

Next. Golden State Warriors may have dodged a bullet with NBA champion. dark

Fortunately fans won’t have to wait any longer to see Iguodala on the floor. After a five-game winning streak to begin their eight-game homestand, the Warriors will be hoping to respond from Wednesday’s 122-119 loss to the Detroit Pistons.

Home/Warriors News