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Golden State Warriors forward holds high expectations for 2023-24 season

By Peter O'Keefe

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 13: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a call behind Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half in a preseason game at Crypto.com Arena on October 13, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) 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.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 13: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a call behind Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half in a preseason game at Crypto.com Arena on October 13, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) 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. /
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Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins has set high expectations for himself after a season interrupted by injury and personal issues in 2022-23.

The 28-year-old was limited to just 37 regular season appearances, easily the least of his nine-year career and just the second time he played less than 70 games. Wiggins then dealt with a rib injury towards the end of the postseason as the Warriors were eliminated in the second-round by the Los Angeles Lakers.

Andrew Wiggins believes he can return to his All-Star level best for the Golden State Warriors in 2023-24.

Wiggins’ reputation was completely rewritten the year before when he became an All-Star for the first time, before the Canadian was the second-best player during Golden State’s championship-winning 2022 playoff run.

Speaking recently to Sportskeeda’s Mark Medina, Wiggins discussed his goals for this season including adding a missing piece to his growing resumé.

"“Connecting with the team and having a solid and strong season. I would love to be an All-Star. I would love to be on the All-Defensive team. We have to win games and stay consistent. That’s what’s most important”, Wiggins said."

Andrew Wiggins of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after defeating the Boston Celtics 103-90 in Game 6 of the 2022 NBA Finals. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Andrew Wiggins of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after defeating the Boston Celtics 103-90 in Game 6 of the 2022 NBA Finals. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

After his career-best year with the Warriors in 2021-22, Wiggins could have been considered unlucky to miss out on an All-Defensive selection. Instead, Draymond Green was Golden State’s lone representative despite playing just 46 games.

The Warriors evidently missed Wiggins perimeter defense in his absence last season, sliding from the second-best defense to 14th in a year where they only just avoided the Play-In Tournament with a sixth-placed finish in the conference.

When on the floor, Wiggins produced similar offensive numbers to his All-Star season. The Canadian posted 17.1 points, five rebounds and 2.3 assists per game, shooting a career-high 39.6% from three-point range.

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After a slow start in the opening two preseason games against the Los Angeles Lakers, Wiggins looked spritely with 20 points in 22 minutes in the Warriors win over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.

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