2017 NBA Playoffs: Warriors expect Shaun Livingston, Matt Barnes to return soon

Golden State Warriors are hopeful that injured reserves Shaun Livingston and Matt Barnes return for the second round of the 2017 NBA playoffs against either the Los Angeles Clippers or Utah Jazz. The duo skipped all four games of the first-round series against the Portland Trail Blazers.

After Saturday's practice session, the Warriors announced that while Barnes has been upgraded to "probable" for Tuesday's Game 1, Livingston remains "questionable" but could be ready to return on game day. Barnes, nursing a foot injury, hasn't played a game since the Apr. 8 injury. The veteran forward signed with the Warriors in the aftermath of Durant's knee injury in February.

Livingston, meanwhile, sprained a finger on his right hand during the 121-109 Game 1 victory against the Trail Blazers earlier this month. "I'm trying to make sure I rest it as much as I possibly can because when I do come back, I plan on staying all the way back. Hopefully it will be ready for Tuesday," Livingston told reporters on Saturday, via ESPN. In Livingston's absence, the Warriors have given additional playing time to rookie Patrick McCaw and second-unit guard Ian Clark.

Superstar forward Kevin Durant (strained calf) is reportedly fully healthy after being limited to just 20 minutes during the 128-103 Game 4 victory last Monday. With Durant, Barnes and Livingston getting an additional week of rest, the Warriors should be able to function at full capacity during the second-round series.

The Warriors will continue playing without coach Steve Kerr until further notice. According to the Associated Press, "there is no update on the status of coach Steve Kerr, who missed the final two games of the first round because of complications from two back surgeries. Kerr talks daily with interim coach Mike Brown and took part in coaching meetings Friday but was not at practice on Saturday."

The Jazz and Clippers will square off in Game 7 off their first-round series on Sunday. Analysts feel the Clippers would pose a bigger challenge to the Warriors due to their defence-first mentality, not to mention the presence of 7-foot rim protector Rudy Gobert. Las Vegas odds makers expect the Golden State Warriors to run through the 2017 NBA Playoffs and capture the 2017 NBA championship. Though teams such as the Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets stand in their way, the Warriors are overwhelming favourites to hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy in June.