Iguodala eyeing return

2015 finals MVP should be back to action in Cleveland

CLEVELAND — TheWarriors expected Andre Iguodala to play in Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday night at Quicken Loans Arena.

Iguodala has been dealing with a bone bruise around his left knee. He has not played since Game 3 of the Western Conference finals against the Rockets, and the Warriors have gone 4-2 since he got hurt.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr said before the game that Iguodala would warm up with the intention of playing. Kerr wasn’t sure how many minutes Iguodala would be called upon to play if he was to become available.

“It’s all leaning in the right direction,” Kerr said after the Warriors’ shootaround practice Wednesday. “Andre helps us in every regard. He’s one of the smartest players in the league.”

Iguodala’s return would be another big boost for the Warriors, who won the first two games of the finals in Oakland, Calif., and now are on the verge of getting the 2015 finals MVP back into their rotation.

Iguodala has averaged 11.4 points in his last 18 finals games — including a 20-point showing for the Warriors in last year’s title clincher against the Cavaliers.

He had been a starter in these playoffs, part of what is known as the Warriors’ “Hamptons 5” lineup, a nod to the four players who went on the recruiting trip two summers ago to convince Kevin Durant to join their team.

Iguodala is averaging 7.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists in this postseason.

“We talk about his versatility all the time,” Warriors guard Stephen Curry said. “We talk about the ways that he can fill holes defensively and offensively for us, especially against teams that we have such familiarity with.

“He’s such a high-IQ type of guy that he’ll most likely find himself in the right place at the right time and help our rotation get back to what we’re consistently used to. Just for him to be healthy and able to play in the finals now that we’re here, I think that would mean a lot to him and give us an emotional boost as well.”

Iguodala’s value goes far deeper than stats.

Players, coaches and even opponents rave about how he makes the Warriors better with his decisionmaking and how he’s a calming influence on the floor. And with the Warriors already halfway to the four wins needed for another NBA championship, his presence will make this latest comeback attempt by the Cavaliers that much more challenging.

“We all know what he’s capable of and how he helps this team,” Warriors forward Draymond Green said. “So it will be a huge boost for us.” FINALS SCHEDULE | WARRIORS LEAD SERIES 2-0 Warriors 124, Cavaliers 114 (OT) Warriors 122, Cavaliers 103 Wednesday at Cavaliers Friday at Cavaliers Monday at Warriors June 14 at Cavaliers June 17 at Warriors

LACHLAN CUNNINGHAM/GETTY Andre Iguodala, left, is expected to swap his street clothes for a uniform during the Warriors’ stay in Cleveland.