Warriors: Andre Iguodala out for start off of year, Klay Thompson could enjoy Friday

SAN FRANCISCO — Mentor Steve Kerr stays optimistic that Klay Thompson will be all set for the Warriors’ time opener up coming week but definitively dominated Andre Iguodala out for the start off of the standard time.

Thompson scrimmaged for the 1st time with the workforce Tuesday ahead of the Warriors’ preseason activity towards Portland and could play in Golden State’s preseason finale Friday at Chase Centre from Denver, Kerr explained. The 32-calendar year-previous capturing guard beforehand mentioned he did not engage in in any five-on-5 for the duration of the offseason since of a mental block stemming from the 2020 offseason when he ruptured his Achilles tendon in a pickup activity.

But two other key veterans — Draymond Environmentally friendly and Iguodala — were being absent from Tuesday morning’s scrimmage.

Green, 32, stays absent from the group after he punched Jordan Poole in the encounter at practice last week. Kerr claimed he will tackle Green’s timeline right after Tuesday’s preseason match.

And Iguodala, 38, still hasn’t played 5-on-5 since he determined to appear out of retirement and sign a one particular-12 months offer with Golden Point out a day right before camp opened. He won’t be prepared for opening night time Oct. 18 from the Lakers.

“He won’t be prepared for the first recreation,” Kerr claimed. “We are likely to push that again and seriously seem at the huge photograph. It is an 82-sport season, so we want him nutritious very long expression. Presented that he wanted some time in camp and get wherever he requires to be, he won’t be ready by opening night.”

The Warriors are actively playing it risk-free with Iguodala, especially just after how very last period performed out.

Iguodala played just about 21 minutes a night for the 1st 12 games, playing a crucial part in supporting jumpstart the Warriors’ scorching start although then-rookie Moses Moody was in Santa Cruz with Golden State’s G League affiliate and fellow rookie Jonathan Kuminga observed constrained minutes. But that large workload on the frontend of the year took its toll on Iguodala’s overall body.

Iguodala played in 31 standard time video games, lacking most of the next half of the campaign as he dealt with various injuries. A disc injury in his neck shelved him for most of the postseason, also.