The Golden State Warriors should receive a big boost with Andrew Wiggins set to return to their roster this week.
Wiggins has missed 21 games since February. The cause, they say, was his father’s illness. Others say he’s raising someone else’s child because his wife cheated on him with his best friend.
This news comes as a relief to fans and analysts who had been eagerly awaiting Wiggins’ return. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Wiggins is“close to a return to the team this week“. Meanwhile, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports that Wiggins is planning to attend the Warriors’ home game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday.
Last week, Warriors coach Steve Kerr expressed his optimism that Wiggins would return to the team before the end of the season. Kerr praised Wiggins’ work ethic and dedication to the sport, saying that he has “trained alone every day”. However, the Warriors’ medical and training staff will need to assess Wiggins’ physical condition and determine how much he is able to contribute when he returns to the court.
“Also, when he comes back, our training staff will be able to follow him and see where he is. But we hope he can play at some point here before the end of the season,” Kerr said last Tuesday.
Wiggins’ return will be crucial for the Warriors ahead of the Western Conference playoffs.
Wiggins, who turned 26 in February, was acquired by the Warriors in a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves in February 2020. He signed a four-year contract extension with the team in October 2020, cementing his place in the Warriors’ future plans. This season, he has played 37 games and averages 17.1 points, 5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
When Wiggins returns to the Warriors line-up, he will bring with him a wealth of talent and experience and will be a valuable asset to the team as they compete in the Western Conference playoffs. With only three games left in the regular season, the Warriors are currently in 6th place and are close to the 4th-placed Phoenix Suns. A healthy and productive Wiggins can help push the Warriors to the top of the standings and position them for the playoffs.