SAN FRANCISCO — The Golden State Warriors have ruled Andre Iguodala out for Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics.
Iguodala will be sidelined Sunday night by inflammation in his right knee. He returned from a neck injury to play 12 minutes in Game 1 on Thursday. Prior to the NBA Finals, the veteran hadn’t played since Game 4 of the first round at the Denver Nuggets because of a neck injury.
Golden State coach Steve Kerr said Iguodala’s knee swelled up on Saturday, adding that he will be considered day-to-day moving forward through the series.
This likely clears the path for Gary Payton II to make his NBA Finals debut. Payton did not play in Game 1 — a 120-108 Celtics victory — even though he was available to play.
Kerr said he was going to use Payton only for special circumstances in Game 1. But Kerr said on Saturday that Payton is feeling better and that he anticipates using him more for his defense in Game 2.
The point guard has not played since fracturing an elbow in Game 2 at Memphis in the second round.