2022 NBA Finals: Warriors vs. Celtics

Warriors trio of Gary Payton II, Andre Iguodala and Otto Porter Jr. return for Game 1

Golden State's reserves all upgraded from 'questionable', while a pair of Celtics battling their own maladies will start for Boston.

From NBA.com News Services

Updated on June 3, 2022 3:59 AM

Reinforcements officially arrived for the Warriors, just in time for Game 1 of the 2022 NBA Finals.

The team announced pregame that Gary Payton II, Andre Iguodala and Otto Porter Jr. were each upgraded from “questionable” on Wednesday to “available to play” in Thursday’s series opener, which the Celtics won, 120-108.

Porter played the most, logging 12 points (4-5 3PM), four rebounds and two steals in 23 1/2 minutes; Iguodala put up seven points and three assists in 12 minutes; Payton II didn’t appear in the contest.

On the Celtics side, both Marcus Smart and Robert Williams III were questionable … until Thursday’s starting lineup announcement, which put both on the floor for the opening tip. Smart put up a crucial 18 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals against zero turnovers in 30 minutes; Williams dropped eight points, six rebounds, a steal and four blocks in 24 minutes of action.