After missing the Warriors' last 21 games, veteran Andre Iguodala will make his return to the court Monday night against the Memphis Grizzlies.
During that stretch of contests, Iguodala was listed on the injury report with back issues. But as he told reporter Anthony Slater of The Athletic, it's been a flurry of injuries preventing him from suiting up for the Dubs after signing a one-year deal for the veteran's minimum in the offseason.
“It’s really the body reacting in ways it never has,” he told The Athletic. “Chain reaction.”
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The 38-year-old played in 12 of Golden State's first 14 games of the 2021-22 season before a knee issue flared up and caused him to miss 11 straight contests from mid-November to December.
Once the knee healed up, Iguodala's hip started to bother him, and soon after his back became the main issue. He suffered the back injury during the Warriors' 110-98 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Feb. 7, the cause of his latest lengthy absence.
“It’s like cancer spreading out to different areas,” Iguodala told The Athletic. “Small things. Nerve damage here. Bulging disc there. The pieces never really quite come together. One area will feel really good and then another area (hurts) the next day and you’re starting over with your rehab. It’s frustrating.”
Golden State has had no shortage of injury issues this season. Superstar guard Steph Curry has missed the Warriors' last five games since suffering a foot injury March 16. Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and Otto Porter Jr. still aren't playing on the second night of back-to-back tilts, including Monday night in Memphis, as they try to get back into shape from their respective injuries.
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Iguodala was a main piece of the Warriors' three NBA championships while playing for Golden State from 2013-19. He won't be as big of a piece to the Warriors' puzzle in the upcoming playoffs, but he's ready to serve whatever role coach Steve Kerr needs. Even if it means not feeling 100 percent.
“Hopefully, I’m ready when I need to be,” Iguodala told The Athletic. “But right around now is the time you need to crank it up, even fight through the pain a little bit.”