Andre Iguodala out for Game 1 of NBA Finals

Warriors forward Andre Iguodala will not play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday due to a bone bruise and contusion in his left knee.

Golden State confirmed Iguodala’s status in a press release on Wednesday. Iguodala was evaluated by team medical staff on Tuesday, and the release says he is “making progress.” Iguodala missed the final four games of the Western Conference Finals with the same injury.

The release also said that “the pain that accompanies the bone bruise persists, as does inflammation of the nerve surrounding his left knee.” The 2015 Finals MVP is expected to be reevaluated before Sunday night’s Game 2 in Oakland.

Throughout the Western Conference Finals, the Warriors used Kevon Looney in place of Iguodala in the starting lineup. His absence certainly gives the Cavs and LeBron James a little bit of a break on the offensive end, as James has typically been Iguodala’s primary matchup. In Iguodala’s absence, we will likely see both Kevin Durant and Draymond Green guarding him.