Barber: Signs point to Andre Iguodala’s return for Warriors

CLEVELAND - Warriors veteran Andre Iguodala has taken a couple of cautious strides toward getting back on the basketball court. The final step will be suiting up for a game, an event that could happen as soon as tonight.

“He’ll warm up before the game and will be a game-time decision,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Wednesday after a midday shootaround at Quicken Loans Arena.

Iguodala hasn’t played since May 20, the night he banged into Houston’s James Harden and bruised a bone in his left knee. The veteran swingman has missed six games since then. But Kerr sounded more optimistic than ever that Iguodala will be able to play in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, which tips off at 6 p.m. The player took part in all teams drills Tuesday and Wednesday.

“I think there’s a good chance he’ll play,” Kerr said. “I don’t know how many minutes he’d be able to play, but he’s been feeling pretty good the last two days. Made a lot of improvement from where he was. So it’s all leaning in the right direction.”

Iguodala averaged 25.3 minutes during the 2017-18 regular season, and bumped that up to 27.5 in the postseason before hurting the knee.

Without Iguodala, the Warriors dispatched the Rockets in the Western Conference final series and have pushed to a 2-0 lead over the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals. But they certainly have missed him. They are 10-3 in the playoffs when Iguodala see action, and are one missed Cavaliers free throw from being 3-3 without him. His absence has forced young players such as Kevon Looney and Patrick McCaw to extend their minutes against Cleveland.

Besides Iguodala himself, no one is looking forward to his return more than Kerr, who has frequently voiced his admiration for the 2015 finals MVP.

“Andre helps us in every regard,” Kerr said. “He’s one of the smartest players in the league. He handles the ball for us a lot on offense, he’s a great decision maker and he’s an excellent defender, too. So it can only help us.”

You can reach columnist Phil Barber at 707-521-5263 or phil.barber@pressdemocrat.com. Follow him on Twitter: @Skinny_Post.