Warriors’ Andre Iguodala nearing return to practice after wrist injury

LOS ANGELES — Andre Iguodala is looking to take a major step in his injury rehab journey in next week.

Iguodala continues to make progress in his recovery from wrist surgery and is expected to return to team practice next week, the Warriors said Saturday afternoon.

Iguodala, who’s been out since mid-March with a wrist injury, returned to the practice floor in the last two weeks to do light individual work, such as ball handling and shooting drills. His workouts have intensified in recent days and should be cleared for practice at some point next week, the team said. Iguodala, 39, underwent surgery March 20 to repair a broken left wrist after he fell on in a game.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr said before Game 3 on Saturday that Iguodala hasn’t done contact work yet, but that he’s focused on ball-handling and defensive work.

“He’s getting more work in each day and he’s getting closer to possibly being able to” play again, Kerr said.

Before signing a one-year deal at training camp, Iguodala said this season would be his last.

Iguodala, who has won four NBA titles with Golden State, has played only eight games this season, but his impact was felt every time he stepped foot on the court. His 116.7 offensive rating is second to only Stephen Curry and he has posted a team-best 104.7 defensive rate in his 113 minutes.

The Warriors may not be able to expect him back in time to play in the Western Conference semifinals against the Lakers, with the series current tied 1-1 and Game 3 on Saturday night. If the series had every “if necessary” game played, Game 7 would next be Sunday, only giving Iguodala eight days from now to get into game shape.