Warriors Injury News: Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala Banged Up Before Game 5 Against Houston Rockets

The Golden State Warriors aren’t exactly 100 percent healthy as they head into Game 5 of their second-round series with the Houston Rockets. The starters for the back-to-back defending champions have totaled a ton of minutes through four contests, and a few of them were a little banged up in Monday’s loss that knotted the series up at 2-2.

Kevin Durant appeared to be bothered by his right elbow throughout the 112-108 Game 4 loss. The reigning NBA Finals MVP wore a sleeve on his shooting elbow because he banged it in Game 3, and he seemed to aggravate the ailment when the elbow collided with James Harden’s head in the first quarter of Game 4.

Durant told reporters in his post-game interview that his elbow wasn’t an issue. After a slow start to Monday’s contest, Golden State’s leading scorer didn’t have much trouble making shots as he finished with 34 points on 12-22 shooting.

Durant is averaging 36.0 points on 25.0 field-goal attempts in 45.0 minutes per game this series.

Andre Iguodala’s left knee might be something to keep an eye on for the rest of the series. The forward hyperextended his knee when he grabbed a rebound and was bumped by Chris Paul.

Iguodala was seen walking with a limp in the aftermath, though there’s been no indication that he won’t play in Game 5.

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr inserted Iguodala into the starting lineup this series so the veteran could guard Harden. Amid Golden State’s lack of depth, the veteran has played a key role with 13.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 34.0 minutes per game.

Iguodala’s absence was felt in last year’s Western Conference Finals when a leg injury kept him out of four games. The Warriors went 2-2 when the 2015 NBA Finals MVP didn’t play against Houston in the 2018 playoffs.

The Warriors are already without DeMarcus Cousins, who could be lost for the rest of the playoffs because of a quad injury he suffered in the first round.