Golden State Warriors update playing status of forward after bizarre injury mishap

Golden State Warriors' forward Andrew Wiggins is questionable for his team's matchup against the LA Clippers on Saturday afternoon, having missed Thursday night's game at Chase Center following a bizarre injury mishap

The Canadian reportedly slammed a car door on his right index finger, according to The Athletic's Anthony Slater. After a turbulent 2022-23 season that included an adductor injury, personal leave and a rib issue during the playoffs, this was the kind of unnecessary issue Wiggins could ill-afford.

Andrew Wiggins could return against the LA Clippers on Saturday, but the Golden State Warriors will again be without Chris Paul and Gary Payton II.

With Wiggins, Chris Paul and Gary Payton II on the sidelines for Thursday's game, it was the Warrior younger players who stood up and played key roles in the 120-114 win over the Clippers. Moses Moody started in Wiggins' absence, while Brandin Podziemski played over 31 minutes and Jonathan Kuminga had 17 points.

Wiggins' slight injury issue did come at the worst possible time though, with the 28-year-old having started to find some form after a poor start to the season. The 2022 All-Star had 29 points and 10 rebounds against the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday, while also recording a 31-point game against the Oklahoma City Thunder within the last fortnight.

After shooting a paltry 13.2% from three-point range over the first 13 games of the season, Wiggins has made 50% (11-22) of his threes across his last five appearances. His return against the Clippers could be vital as All-Star wings Kawhi Leonard and Paul George seek to make amends for Thursday's defeat.

Golden State will again be without the guard duo of Paul and Payton. The former will be re-evaluated on Monday after suffering a nerve issue in his left leg against the Kings on Tuesday, with Payton to be re-evaluated later next week following a calf strain sustained in the third-quarter of the same game.

The Clippers again have a clean bill of health outside the ongoing absence of Mason Plumlee and Brandon Boston Jr. Los Angeles went 1-2 across a recent three-game home-stand, suffering losses to the New Orleans Pelicans and a severely undermanned Denver Nuggets.

Saturday's game will be an early 1:00PM PT tip-off at Crypto.com Arena, with the Warriors looking to move back to a .500 record after starting 9-10 on the season.