Warriors Confirm Iguodala To Miss NBA Finals Opener

Oakland, United States, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 31st May, 2018 ) :Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala will miss Thursday's opening game of the NBA Finals with a bone bruise in his left leg, the defending league champions confirmed Wednesday.

Iguodala, a 34-year-old swingman who was the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player in Golden State's 2015 championship campaign and a key reserve in last season's 16-1 playoff run to the crown.

Iguodala was evaluated by team medical staff on Tuesday before being ruled out of Thursday's home contest against Cleveland to begin the best-of-seven championship series -- their fourth in a row against the Cavaliers.

"The evaluation indicated Iguodala is making progress," the statement said. "However, the pain accompanying the bone bruise persists, as does inflammation of the nerve surrounding his left knee.

"Iguodala suffered the injury in game three of the Western Conference finals against Houston and missed the final four games of the series against the Rockets.

The Warriors held out hope Iguodala would return for game two on Sunday.

"He is currently listed as out for game one of the NBA Finals and will be re-evaluated again prior to game two," the statement said.

Iguodala has averaged 7.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists a game in the playoffs. or the season, Iguodala averaged 6.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists.

Iguodala, a member of the US 2012 Olympic gold medal team, is in his 14th NBA season and fifth with the Warriors, with career averages of 12.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists a game.