The Golden State Warriors are facing a challenging stretch towards the end of the regular season. They will have to navigate this without Andrew Wiggins once again.
Last year, Wiggins had to step away from the team due to a “family matter” for the last 25 games of the regular season. He only returned to play in the Warriors’ first-round series against the Sacramento Kings, where he performed well, averaging 17.6 points per game before getting injured in the series against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Wiggins never disclosed the details of his “family matter” from last season, but reports suggested that his father, former NBA player Mitchell Wiggins, was dealing with a serious illness.
A similar situation may be unfolding this season. Coach Steve Kerr and the Warriors continue to support Wiggins, who values his privacy when it comes to his personal life. Last year, no one from the organization criticized Wiggins publicly or questioned his dedication to the sport.
Although Wiggins struggled at the start of this season, he was finding his form before this recent setback. The emergence of players like Jonathan Kuminga and rookie Brandin Podziemski has helped mitigate his absence this season. Additionally, Wiggins stepping away coincided with Chris Paul’s return to the court.
However, the Warriors find themselves in a more precarious position in the standings compared to last year. They are currently tied with the Lakers for ninth place in the Western Conference, trailing the sixth-place Phoenix Suns by 3.5 games. Furthermore, they have 15 road games out of their final 25 games.
The Warriors understand the importance of Wiggins’ personal matters and will not rush him to return. His well-being and family come first.
At the same time, Wiggins is a crucial player for the Warriors, and they are hopeful that his personal issues will be resolved soon.
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