The Golden State Warriors begin their quest for another title against the Boston Celtics on Thursday night. Game 1 of the 2022 NBA Finals will showcase a powerhouse looking to get back on top against a team who finally got over the hump and into the championship series. The Warriors will be counting on a few of their injured players to join them.
According to Joe Vardon of The Athletic, three key Warriors players dealing with injuries — Andre Iguodala, Gary Payton II and Otto Porter Jr. — are all listed as questionable. Each of their injuries differs in severity.
Coach Steve Kerr said Gary Payton II (elbow fracture), Otto Porter Jr. (foot soreness) and Andre Iguodala(neck) would all be “questionable” to play against the Boston Celtics on Thursday. Each player participated in the Warriors’ brief, full-contact scrimmage at Chase Center on Wednesday.
“We’ll see how they turn up tomorrow, but it was a good sign that they were able to take contact,” Kerr said.
Porter injured his foot in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals against the Dallas Mavericks. Payton injured his elbow In Game 2 of the Warriors' second-round series against the Memphis Grizzlies. Iguodala has played only thrice in this year's playoffs, making his last appearance in Game 4 of the first-round series against the Denver Nuggets.
With Stephen Curry looking to put all the pressure on the Celtics' defense, the Warriors will need their three defensive-minded players back to help them contain Jayson Tatum and the talented Boston offense throughout the NBA Finals.
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