SAN FRANCISCO — Gary Payton II, Otto Porter Jr.. Y Andrew Iguodala are listed as “questionable” heading into Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Wednesday afternoon.
Payton has been out since Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals after breaking his elbow on a controversial play with Dillon Brooks of the Memphis Grizzlies. Porter missed the final game and a half of the Conference Finals with a sore left foot. Iguodala missed 30 of the last 36 regular season games and all of the playoffs with a leg and neck injury.
On Wednesday, Kerr said the trio participated fully in practice, including playing with the team, the first time they had done contact work since their respective injuries.
“I still have a few boxes to check,” Payton said Tuesday. “Go day by day, you know, see what happens and hope for the best… I’m starting to feel normal. It’s still not me yet.”
On Wednesday, Porter said he was feeling fine and the fact that he participated in every part of practice was a good sign.
Iguodala was more coy about his condition.
“It’s been an interesting year with my body,” Iguodala said. “But I’ve been using my brain a lot and I understand that that’s a big part of… weaving that fabric… I just understand that you can have an impact by being ready in any way that I’ve been asked and I hope so, I just have I have to be ready and open for it, being optimistic with everything that’s going on with my body.
That said, Iguodala’s ultimate goal is “to finish the season walking on two feet. If I do that, it’s a successful season.”
When Iguodala rejoined the Warriors last summer, there were question marks over how much he had left to play. The Warriors began by resting Iguodala at one end back-to-back and never forced him back from early-season ailments. The plan was always to do whatever it took to get him available for the postseason.
Now, it’s unclear not only if he’ll be able to contribute to the Warriors’ deep playoff streak, but even if he does, how much he’ll be worth.
“Coming back is similar to my feelings when I first signed with the team,” Iguodala said.
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Payton II, Porter Jr. and Iguodala doubtful for J1