The Golden State Warriors are all set to begin their NBA title defense.
Well, everyone except for 2015 NBA Finals MVP Andre Iguodala.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Warriors announced that Iguodala will miss the team’s season-opener against the Houston Rockets with a back injury he suffered during Golden State’s preseason slate. Iguodala is not a member of Golden State’s starting lineup, but his injury will impact head coach Steve Kerr’s rotation and could free up more minutes for Patrick McCaw or free agent acquisitions Nick Young and Omri Casspi.
Casspi suffered a mild ankle sprain in the Warriors’ preseason finale on Friday evening at Oracle Arena against the Kings, but on Tuesday, the Warriors confirmed that he will be available to make his Golden State debut.
Golden State tips off against the Houston Rockets at 7:30, and fans are encouraged to arrive early as the team will receive its 2017 NBA Championship rings before Tuesday’s contest.