Payton, Igoduala timelines unclear
Gary Payton II and Andre Iguodala are making good progress but their timeline for a return remains unclear after the Golden State Warriors’ latest update on their health ahead of Game 2 of the Western Conference finals against Dallas on Friday night at Chase Center.
Golden State said in a statement that Payton, who suffered a fractured left elbow in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Grizzlies, started light individual on-court activities and is expected to be re-evaluated in one week.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr told reporters on Sunday that it’s a long shot for Payton to play in the conference finals, but won’t rule out the possibility. The 29-year-old enjoyed a breakout regular season with Golden State, as he provided high-level defense and averaged 7.1 points on 61.6% shooting from the field, 3.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 17.6 minutes per game.
If Payton’s injured elbow isn’t a lingering issue, his development should bolster his market value when he hits unrestricted free agency this summer.
“This is the place for him,”
Kerr said in April. “We value what he brings to the team. He fits in perfectly with our roster.”
The Warriors said the daily rehabilitation of Iguodala, who has missed the past nine games (including Friday’s) because of a disk injury in his neck, consists of physical therapy, weightroom
training and light individual on-court activities. The next update on his status will be given when he’s cleared to return to practice.
Golden State signed Iguodala, 38, to a one-year, $2.6 million contract last summer. He was limited to 31 regular-season
games and hasn’t played since Game 4 of the opening-round series against Denver.
Defensive honor: Draymond Green earned his seventh NBA All-Defensive selection, landing on the second team for the third time (2017-18, 2018-19). Green received the fewest votes among any of the players to make either team.
Before missing 29 games, Green anchored the Warriors’ top-rated defense and his name had been floated as a Defensive Player of the Year candidate, an award he won in 2016-17.
He last made the All-Defensive first team in 2020-21.
Lakers eyeing Atkinson:
Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson has been named a finalist for the Lakers’ head-coaching job, along with Milwaukee assistant Darvin Ham and former Portland head coach Terry Stotts.
Frank Vogel was fired in the spring after Los Angeles failed to make the playoffs just two years after winning the championship.
Atkinson, 54, has been a key member of Kerr’s staff in his first season with Golden State, helping oversee player development and tactical adjustments. He spent more than three seasons as head coach of the Nets. Atkinson is also a candidate for the Hornets’ head-coaching opening.