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Warriors’ Finals MVP returns Sunday

And also Steph Curry is coming back from his leg injury

2015 NBA Finals - Golden State Warriors v Cleveland Cavaliers
Andre Iguodala with his Finals MVP trophy in 2015, because that loser Steph Curry only averaged 26 points.
Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images

It’s the day Golden State Warriors fans have been waiting for. Finally, their injured Finals MVP is shaking off age, injuries, and rust and coming back to a squad that’s been hobbling along without him. At long last, a golf-loving, HBO-cameoing, future Hall of Famer is back in a Warriors uniform and taking the court Sunday in Los Angeles.

And also Steph Curry is returning. Probably,

Yes, Andre Iguodala is set to play his fourth game of the 2022-23 season when the Warriors start a three-game road trip in Los Angeles on Sunday. Iguodala made his season debut on January 7, and after playing nearly 18 minutes against the Spurs on January 13, he’s shut it down until now. The 2015 Finals MVP has had a sore right hip since then, after missing the season’s first 37 games with “left hip management.”

Last year’s Finals MVP, Steph Curry, is also listed as probable.

When Iguodala first returned from hip problems, he told reporters he wanted to be able go “10, 15 games” without problems to get ready for the playoffs. He’ll get a chance to play himself into shape, especially with Andrew Wiggins still out with personal issues.

Curry suffered an injury to his left knee ligaments against the Dallas Mavericks exactly one month ago, but started on-court activities after the All-Star Break and began scrimmaging this week. He’s coming back to start the road trip, primarily to support his good friend Andre.

The Warriors have stepped up their defense quite a bit since the beginning of the season, climbing up to 13th in the league in defensive rating. It helps that they held their last two opponents to under 100 points, ramping up their defense even more after halftime. Iguodala should provide help on that end as they wait and hope for the return of Gary Payton II before the playoffs.

Also, the all-time franchise leader in steals will be back, and that’s not nothing.

The Lakers will be without Warriors legend and amateur videographer D’Angelo Russell, but Anthony Davis is expected to play in the ABC showcase game Sunday afternoon. The Brow and a Finals MVP and the star of Holey Moley? Sunday’s going to be special.

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