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The Golden State Warriors will face the San Antonio Spurs with an opportunity to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals.
But early this morning, there was still doubt about who would be playing.
While Spurs star Kawhi Leonard's status remained in doubt, Andre Iguodala and Zaza Pachulia have been hurting for the Warriors.
The Spurs announced Leonard would be out for Game 3 this morning, which is certainly a blow to their hopes of keeping this series competitive.
A horrible @NBA postseason just got worse as @kawhileonard is ruled OUT, tonight in GM 3@spurs pic.twitter.com/9fJSdAEPvx
— TheSportsGuyNHarlem (@SamphillJr) May 20, 2017
Meanwhile, JaVale McGee will likely start for Zaza Pachulia, who will miss Game 3 due to injury.
Warriors center Zaza Pachulia (heel) will not play tonight against Spurs. Andre Iguodala (knee) is probable.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) May 20, 2017
Mike Brown said the Warriors will "probably start JaVale (McGee)" for the injured Zaza Pachulia tonight.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 20, 2017
Twitter, of course, has had and will continue to have many jokes about this issue.
Any bruise on Zaza Pachulia is a heel contusion. Discuss.
— Jeff McDonald (@JMcDonald_SAEN) May 20, 2017
S.A. 4th-grader makes example out of Zaza Pachulia in his homework, deserves an A+ https://t.co/UNp35CBbpQ @mySA pic.twitter.com/aWebVcCXvL
— Maddy Skye (@MaddySkye) May 17, 2017
The matter of whether Pachulia deliberately ruined this postseason for the Spurs is a matter that I suppose NBA fans will debate for another few weeks or so, especially when trying to discredit whoever wins the title. But I -- like you, I'm assuming -- am far more concerned with the Warriors moving a game closer to reaching the 2017 NBA Finals with a win tonight.
We can let salty fans have their jokes as long as they want.