Andrew Wiggins was once again absent from the Golden State Warriors’ Christmas Day win over the Memphis Grizzlies, that despite optimism the All-Star forward would to begin the team’s eight-game homestand.
The 27-year-old has now missed ten straight games with an adductor strain, with his return to play still up in the air as Warriors’ management makes sure Wiggins is fully right to return.
Golden State Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr has confirmed Andrew Wiggins needs more work before making a return to the floor.
It’s now been ten days and five games since Golden State announced Wiggins was cleared to be involved in practice and shootarounds with the team. However, prior to the big win over the Grizzlies, Steve Kerr confirmed that “it’s lingered longer than expected. With groin injuries, you have to be careful.”
Andrew Wiggins going through a post-practice workout on Friday. He practiced fully for the first time since he suffered an adductor strain.
— Jason Dumas (@JDumasReports) December 23, 2022
He's missed the Warriors last nine games and hasn't played since December 3rd against Houston.
He's questionable for Saturday v. Memphis pic.twitter.com/TtjsnrwAJ7
The Warriors are clearly playing the safe game with Wiggins, perhaps not only because of the specifics of the injury, but also given this is an unfamiliar situation for the Canadian. Wiggins has never missed a stretch of games like this in his entire nine-year career — in fact, he’s never missed more than nine games in any of his eight previous seasons.
Wiggins has now missed 12 of the team’s 34 games, with two coming through rests prior to the injury. He was producing some of the best numbers of his career in his 22 games, averaging 19.1 points on a career-high 51.1% from the floor and 45% from three-point range.
His adductor strain was only compounded when superstar Stephen Curry went down with a shoulder injury, leaving the Warriors without arguably their two best players. Golden State have predictably struggled in their absence, going 3-7 in Wiggins’ ten-game absent.
Wiggins’ defense may have been the biggest loss, although Donte DiVincenzo has done an admirable on both ends as his replacement. The 25-year-old also missed blowout losses to the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets, but is otherwise averaging 14.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and four assists on 50% three-point shooting in his last five games.
There’s no talk that Wiggins will return for Tuesday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets, but one can only assume he’ll will make his anticipated return at some point during the Warriors’ eight-game homestand.