JaVale McGee to Start at Center for Warriors in Game 1 vs. Spurs

After making 17 starts in the regular season, JaVale McGee will reportedly be in the Golden State Warriors' starting five for Game 1 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs.

Per ESPN.com's Chris Haynes, McGee is expected to make just his fourth career playoff start Saturday.

McGee has been used sparingly in two seasons with the Warriors. The 30-year-old has averaged just 9.5 minutes in 142 games for the defending NBA champions.

Golden State head coach Steve Kerr, however, started McGee frequently down the stretch this season. The University of Nevada product had a streak of nine straight starts and made 13 starts in a 21-game span from Feb. 22 through April 5.

Despite his limited usage, McGee has been an effective player, with 18.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per 36 minutes.

The Warriors enter the playoffs without Stephen Curry (sprained MCL) for at least the first round. They ended the season with 10 losses in 17 games but still earned the No. 2 seed in the West.