David Lee is available in Game 6

Apr 30, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Golden State Warriors power forward David Lee (left) watches the game from the bench with shooting guard Kent Bazemore (20) in the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets in game five of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Golden State Warriors forward David Lee is dressed and is expected to play tonight. Lee suffered a torn right hip flexor in the first minute of the 4th quarter in Game 1 and was expected to miss the rest of the season.

Lee, who was injured just four games ago, isn’t expected to start tonight but is available and will play as needed. He had worked all season to play in the playoffs so it was devastating to see him go down in Game 1 — even for Denver fans.

In Game 2, the Warriors trotted out a small-ball lineup and used it to their advantage winning three straight games–before losing Game 5 in Denver–in Lee’s absence. How Lee comes back and fits in the rotation is a reasonable question but everyone should agree that his courageous effort to play will be another motivating factor for a Golden State team who felt that the Nuggets played dirty in Game 5.

It’ll be interesting to see how everything works out. But damn, Lee is a tough dude.

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