The Golden State Warriors’ Andre Iguodala suffered a minor injury to his knee in the fourth of his team’s game four loss to the Houston Rockets. The 35-year-year old is expected to be fine to play in game five on Wednesday, but it’s the origins of the injury that has Golden State on edge.
Houston employed a much more physical style of play in game 4, and much of that was spearhead by the play of P.J. Tucker and Chris Paul. According to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, Paul, the Warriors believe, may have had ill-intent during a collision with Iguodala that resulted in his in injury
Following from Yahoo Sports,
The injury is believed to be minor, but the incident that led to it is being viewed quite differently. Members of the Warriors told Yahoo Sports that they believed it was “a dirty play” by Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul.
In the fourth quarter, Iguodala had Paul sealed on his back while boxing out to gather a defensive rebound during the Rockets’ 112-108 win Monday that evened the West semifinals at two games apiece.
When Iguodala elevated to secure the board, Paul moved into the forward when he was in midair and ended up clipping the back of Iguodala’s left knee. A foul was called on Paul, and Iguodala immediately started hobbling and reaching for his knee.
The series is now tied at two games apiece with both teams losing two games on the road. Houston, starting with the Warriors collapse in Game 3, has been able to rattle the Warriors just enough take them out of their game.
The beginning of the series began with much attention placed on the officiating in Game 1, and the drama has continued throughout the next few games. It will be worth keeping an eye on the things as the series shifts back to Golden State and best two out three games takes the series.
