Golden State Warriors: Andrew Wiggins vaccination renews title hopes

While the front office never seemed fearful that Andrew Wiggins would miss time, fans seemed worried that the Golden State Warriors starting small forward wouldn’t be available for their first home game on October 21.

Wiggins was set to miss some home games if he didn’t get vaccinated.

Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins has been vaccinated, meaning he can play in all 41 home games the team will have this season.

Only New York City and San Francisco have mandates on indoor events. Both cities won’t allow unvaccinated players to participate in games; opposing players will still be able to suit up and take the court.

With the news that Wiggins wasn’t vaccinated having loomed over the team, it’s now settled, and the Warriors’ title hopes are back. Steve Kerr told media that Wiggins has been vaccinated, making him able to play in home games.

Missing Wiggins for 41 games and then postseason games at the Chase Center would’ve been absolutely brutal for the Warriors. The former No. 1 overall pick was the Warriors’ second-best scoring option last season, coming in behind the league’s scoring leader, Stephen Curry.

The Warriors have many of their core players back from last season. A team that missed the playoffs, the difference this season is hopefully that the Dubs will be able to get Klay Thompson back near full strength.

The combination of Wiggins, Draymond Green, James Wiseman, Thompson, and Curry will hopefully be enough to improve this team.

With the two-time MVP still playing at an elite level, the Warriors should have enough, especially when you add in the few young prospects they took in the 2021 NBA Draft. That said, they should have enough to make a legitimate title run.

Without any obstacles in the way, the Warriors should get up and running in the near future with the preseason kicking off later today. The Dubs’ first preseason game is tonight against the Trail Blazers with their first regular-season game tipping on October 21.

With Wiggins for all 82 games, obviously, unless he gets injured, Golden State should renew its high expectations. It was once a major obstacle, but now it looks like everything is a go for the franchise that’s been to five of the last seven NBA Finals.