The Golden State Warriors returned to the practice facility on Tuesday as they prepare to attack their final 24 regular season games following the All-Star break.
One key player not in attendance was last year’s All-Star Andrew Wiggins, according to NBC Sports Bay Area Reporter Dalton Johnson. The Canadian missed Golden State’s final game before the break for personal reasons, a game in which they lost 134-124 to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Golden State Warriors’ forward Andrew Wiggins is likely to miss the team’s matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday.
The Warriors were hoping to have all players available aside from veterans Stephen Curry and Andre Iguodala, along with new recruit Gary Payton II. But they may now be down a second starter, with Johnson stating, “it sounds like he (Wiggins) won’t play Thursday vs. the Lakers.”
It would be disrespectful to discuss Wiggins’ personal matters, only to state it must be something fairly significant, and that everyone wishes he and his family the best with whatever is going on at present.
Back to work. pic.twitter.com/gp3WTow6OL
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) February 22, 2023
Fortunately (or unfortunately) the Warriors have recent experience with both Wiggins and Curry out of the lineup. Both players were absent for much of December as Golden State tried to stay afloat without each of their two most recent All-Stars.
The 27-year-old has already missed 21 games this season, playing in 37 of the team’s 58 games before the All-Star break. It’s been a difficult period for Wiggins who before this year had never missed more than ten games in a season.
Whenever the 6’7″ forward does return, he’ll at least brings some confidence after an impressive last outing against the Washington Wizards on February 13. Wiggins had 29 points, seven rebounds, four assists and was a +21 in the 135-126 victory.