As exciting as their dominant game 3 victory over the Houston Rockets was, the Golden State Warriors did not escape completely unscathed.
Andre Iguodala suffered a knee injury and is being listed as doubtful by the team to play in game 4. He was officially diagnosed with a left knee contusion when his knee collided with James Harden during the game.
Iguodala is scheduled to have an x-ray on the knee on Monday, and if the results come back clean, he could be upgraded to probable for game 4.
Sources close to the team indicated that Iguodala was held out of practice on Monday because the bruise below his knee got worse overnight.
The Warriors have deployed “The Hamptons Five” lineup to great success in these playoffs, and it appears that Steve Kerr may be forced to make a major adjustment.
It will be fascinating to see which player will be inserted into the starting lineup if Iguodala isn’t able to play in game 4.
Presumably, Kerr has the choice to either go small to start off the game and send out a guard in Iguodala’s place or opt to go big and start one of his reserve power forwards or centers.
“The Hamptons Five” lineup has started every game of the Western Conference Finals thus far. Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green are the only players who have started every playoff game for the Warriors this postseason.
Stephen Curry came off the bench his first game after returning from his injury, but he has started every game since then. The other two players who have started for the Warriors these playoffs have been JaVale McGee and Nick Young.
McGee has started 6 games, 5 of which were in the first round against the San Antonio Spurs. His other start came in game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Young started games 1 and 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Pelicans. The Warriors have started “The Hamptons Five” for 5 straight games now dating back to game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Pelicans.
If Kerr decides that going small is the best route, it will likely be Young that gets the nod. If he instead thinks going big is more advantageous, McGee will likely be the guy getting the start.
Iguodala brings an invaluable defensive presence and is a fantastic facilitator on the offensive end. The Warriors will need him back soon, and the x-ray results on his knee could very well have huge ramifications for game 4.