The Golden State Warriors have been struggling this season, and their hopes of making the playoffs rely on the return of their key player, Andrew Wiggins. The veteran small forward has been missing from the team for more than three weeks now, leaving everyone guessing about his eventual comeback.
The private family matter that caused Wiggins’ absence
Wiggins has missed 20 consecutive games so far, and his absence has been due to a private family matter. The Warriors organization has not shared any further details, but they have been supportive of Wiggins’ decision to take time off from basketball to handle his situation.
Uncertainty around Wiggins’ potential return
Even with only six regular season games left, there is still no clear timeline when Wiggins will be able to return to the court. Head Coach Steve Kerr stated that there is no timetable yet and that they are taking things day by day.
Wiggins’ absence is hitting the Warriors hard as he is one of their main scorers, averaging 17.1 points per game this season. However, the team has been finding other ways to compete without him.
Evaluating Wiggins’ fitness and potential contributions on his return
Once Wiggins returns, the coaching and medical staffs would need to evaluate his fitness and potential contributions to the team. He has played only 37 out of 82 games this season, making it his most unavailable season in his nine-year NBA career.
Stephen Curry, who has been leading the Warriors in Wiggins’ absence, hopes for his teammate’s return but also understands that Wiggins needs space to handle his private matters first.
Draymond Green defends Andrew Wiggins against rumors about his personal life
Rumors about Wiggins’ personal life have been surfacing on social media while he’s been away from the team. However, his teammate and friend Draymond Green addressed these rumors on his podcast and defended Wiggins against these criticisms.
Green called out people spreading rumors and evaluating Wiggins’ personal life, stating that it’s not only disrespectful but also none of their business. He also expressed his disgust towards those running with someone’s personal life and evaluating its importance.
Warriors’ playoff plans without Wiggins
Despite the uncertainty around Wiggins’ return, the Warriors remain hopeful that he’ll be able to come back before the playoffs. The couple, Wiggins and his girlfriend Mychal Johnson, shares two young daughters, and their family situation has been understandably significant during this critical time.
If both Wiggins and backup guard Gary Payton II miss the playoffs due to unforeseen circumstances, the Warriors would be in a tough spot. But for now, there’s no discussion about Wiggins not playing this season, and the coaching staff and players have been in contact with him throughout his absence.
Conclusion
The Warriors have six games left in the regular season to get to the playoffs, but their chances of winning depend on Wiggins’ eventual return. Despite only having partial information regarding Wiggins’ situation at present time, they’ll continue hoping for the best while preparing for various outcomes.
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