SACRAMENTO — The Warriors have been very clear: Andre Iguodala isn’t going to play all 82 games. His first night off came in the third game of the season, Sunday against the Kings.
Iguodala, 37, continues to nurse a sore left hip that he bruised on a hard fall in the fourth quarter of the Warriors’ win Thursday against the Los Angeles Clippers. The ailment kept him out of practice Saturday and prevented him from playing the following night, but coach Steve Kerr said he expected Iguodala to be available again by Tuesday, when the Warriors head to Oklahoma City.
“It’s precautionary more than anything,” Kerr said before tipoff Sunday. “If he has an ache or a pain and it’s a good time to give him a night off, then we’ll do that. We want him healthy and in a good place down the stretch and into the playoffs.”
In Iguodala’s absence Sunday, Gary Payton II took his place as the player first off the bench to spell Jordan Poole midway through the opening period.
Iguodala landed hard on his hip coming down from a rebound attempt and had to exit the game and head to the locker room. However, he returned to the court for a key stretch as Golden State sealed its win in the final 3 minutes.
Kerr noted after the game Iguodala’s impact in containing Clippers star Paul George in the second half. He’s also shown a spring in his step with two rim-rattling dunks, one of which was called off after he stepped out of bounds.
Iguodala has played more minutes than any other player on the Warriors bench through two games, contributing 8.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Players say his presence on the court makes the game easier.
Despite Iguodala having more in the tank than expected for his 17th NBA season, the plan all along has been for the Warriors to strategically find rest for him to keep him fresh later in the season.
His first rest day of the season just came a little earlier than expected.
“A big part of this season will be pacing him,” Kerr said. “When you understand the game like he does and you have that gift in terms of athleticism and health, the way he takes care of himself, he’s just so smart, he’s going to make an impact every night.”
Source: www.mercurynews.com