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Golden State Warriors taking necessary risk with Andrew Wiggins return

By Peter O'Keefe

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - JANUARY 11: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies goes to the basket against Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Golden State Warriors during the second half at FedExForum on January 11, 2022 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - JANUARY 11: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies goes to the basket against Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Golden State Warriors during the second half at FedExForum on January 11, 2022 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) /
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The next time Andrew Wiggins takes to an NBA floor, he’ll be doing so in the environment of a playoff or play-in game. The Golden State Warriors forward has missed 23-straight games after dealing with personal matters, and that will now extend to at least 25.

Wiggins returned to the Warriors earlier this week, having been away from the franchise for nearly two months. However, the Canadian’s long absence means he won’t be ready to return to the court immediately.

Putting Andrew Wiggins straight back into the cauldron of a playoff atmosphere may be a risk, but it’s a necessary one for the Golden State Warriors.

Joining 95.7 The Game’s Willard and Dibs on Wednesday, head coach Steve Kerr confirmed Wiggins wouldn’t play in the team’s final two regular season games against the Sacramento Kings and Portland Trail Blazers.

"“Wiggins is not going to play in these final two games of the regular season. He’ll continue to work and ramp it up pretty quickly…If we’re gonna make some hay in the playoffs, we gotta have him.”"

Andrew Wiggins hasn’t taken to the floor for the Golden State Warriors since February 13. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Andrew Wiggins hasn’t taken to the floor for the Golden State Warriors since February 13. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

It’s a risk to put Wiggins straight back into a postseason atmosphere, particularly given he’s been involved in just five playoff series in his career. You can make the argument the Warriors are already at playoff-level basketball given their need to win in order to get there, but the fact is they’re playing two teams with little to play for — the Kings have already sewn up third-seed in the conference, while the Trail Blazers have packed up shop for the season as they hope for luck in the lottery.

Would it be beneficial for Wiggins to play in one or both of the remaining games? Sure. However, Golden State clearly want to put him in the best position to be impactful and succeed. The best way of doing that, they believe, is to give him a good training block before returning to the hardwood.

Season-best performance catapults Warrior youngster into Playoff mix. dark. Next

Bringing back Wiggins for the postseason is a risk, but as he showed last season, and as Kerr outlined, it’s a necessary one the Warriors need to make if they wish to succeed in winning back-to-back championships.

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