The Golden State Warriors will lock horns against the Boston Celtics in a mouthwatering NBA Finals matchup. Stephen Curry and the Warriors’ journey to the NBA Finals was a tough one as they fell victim to a number of injuries to pivotal players.

This extra time off between the Western Conference Finals and Finals, though, may prove crucial for Steve Kerr’s shorthanded squad. The chance to offer crucial guys additional time to recover from injuries may be the most positive outcome of the Warriors’ six-day layoff.

Gary Payton II, Otto Porter Jr., and Andre Iguodala have all made significant progress toward a return to the NBA Finals. Steve Kerr spoke to the media on Monday and was questioned about the availability of the three key role players.

“None of them scrimmaged, but they all took part in practice. So they’re all progressing and doing pretty well, and we’ll have an update again tomorrow and the next day. We’ll just see where it all goes,” Kerr said.

Payton has been sidelined for four weeks after fracturing his left elbow in Game 2 in Memphis. He is well-known for his tenacious defense and leaping ability, all of which will be crucial for the Warriors in the Finals.

Iguodala hasn’t featured since the Warriors’ first-round matchup against the Nuggets because of a neck disc ailment. The 38-year-old may not contribute much on the floor, but his veteran presence will be crucial for the squad.

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Porter suffered a left foot injury in Game 3 against the Mavericks. Because of his defensive and rebounding prowess, he is a crucial rotational piece for Kerr.

Kerr is still unsure if the three players will be available against the well-rounded Boston Celtics. However, the players are making huge strides towards a comeback that will definitely benefit the Warriors.

Stephen Curry and company would be pleased, but the matchup against the Celtics wouldn’t be a walk in the park

The Warriors will be refreshed for Game 1 of the NBA Finals, but the Boston Celtics will have only three days to rebound from the Eastern Conference finals. And with the crucial players returning, the Warriors will have more pieces to throw against a formidable Celtics squad. The Warriors, however, will not have it easy.

Ime Udoka has created an infrastructure in Boston. They have paved their way into the NBA Finals behind their offensive brilliance paired with their stout defense. Udoka has established a true winning culture in Boston and has bonded with his troops to get the most out of the squad. They have a well-rounded team, full of hoopers who can crack pressure for the course of a series.

We all recognize what the Golden State Warriors offense brings to the table: high-velocity offense structured around many playmaking hubs. The off-ball movement and plenty of screens are a regular sight when the Warriors are in full flow. The talents of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Jordan Poole fuel their offense even more.

The Celtics, however, have a multitude of countermeasures to the Warriors’ approach. Length and aggressiveness, both on and off the ball, blow-out screening movements. Switching almost everything on defense puts out the fire, and rim protection makes paint touches meaningless.

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The Celtics, unlike every other opponent the Warriors encountered in the postseason, have a multitude of these countermeasures. And with tenacious defenders like Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Al Horford in the mix, the Warriors will have a difficult final stretch.

The NBA Finals will tip off on June 2. Who will, of the two formidable sides, be taking the ultimate crown home?