Golden State Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins to Miss Another Game with Uncertain Return Timeline
The Golden State Warriors will be without their starting small forward, Andrew Wiggins, for their upcoming game against the New York Knicks on Thursday night. Wiggins will be absent as he attends to a personal family matter, marking his second consecutive missed game. The Warriors have chosen not to provide a definite timetable for Wiggins’ expected absence, leaving his return uncertain. It is unclear how long he will be away from the team.
Head coach Steve Kerr has respected Wiggins’ privacy and wishes for the matter to remain private. Kerr stated, “We’ll obviously respect Andrew’s wishes for this to remain private. Personal reasons.” This is not the first time Wiggins has had to take a break from basketball to attend to personal matters. Last season, he missed the final 25 games for a similar reason. He was away from the team from mid-February to early April but made a comeback just before the postseason. Wiggins played in all 13 playoff games, averaging 34 minutes.
During his indefinite absence last season, the Warriors made sure to protect Wiggins’ privacy. Only a select few within the organization were in contact with him and were aware of what was happening behind the scenes. Steve Kerr was among those who knew, but he consistently declined to provide any details publicly. This time around, Kerr has adopted a similar approach, stating that they expect Wiggins to return at some point.
In Wiggins’ absence, the Warriors have chosen to start Moses Moody, a third-year forward who had previously been buried deep in the rotation. Moody made an impact in his first game as a starter, hitting four three-pointers. It seems that he is ready to handle the increased minutes and responsibilities that come with being a starter. By promoting Moody, the Warriors are able to keep Klay Thompson and Chris Paul coming off the bench. Thompson has proven himself in his new role as a reserve, scoring 35, 23, and 25 points in three of his first five games coming off the bench.
Steve Kerr has expressed his desire for Thompson to get comfortable in his new bench role instead of temporarily returning to a starting position while Wiggins is away. This decision allows Thompson to continue to excel in his current role, providing a scoring boost off the bench for the team.
While the Warriors eagerly await Wiggins’ return, they have found a temporary solution in Moses Moody’s promotion to the starting lineup. This adjustment has also allowed Klay Thompson to shine in his new role as a bench player. The team remains hopeful for Wiggins’ quick return but will continue to respect his privacy in the meantime. As the season progresses, the Warriors will adapt and make the necessary adjustments to maintain their success on the court.