The Golden State Warriors, after all the adversity they faced this season, earned a playoff spot for themselves on the very last day of the regular season. After the injuries Stephen Curry faced, Andrew Wiggins‘ absence, and their abysmal road record, the Dubs managed to secure the 6th seed in the West.
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They’d be facing their North Californian neighbors, the Sacramento Kings, for their first-round playoff matchup. This is the first time in NBA history that the Kings and the Warriors face each other in the playoffs.
Andrew Wiggins returned to the Warriors during their third-last game of the season, as the Dubs hosted the OKC Thunder. He didn’t play the final two games of the season, but was instead scrimmaging and getting game ready. Here’s what the team said about Wiggins after their practice.
Stephen Curry and Steve Kerr deliver an update on Wiggins
Andrew Wiggins was the 2nd most important player on the floor for the Warriors during the 2022 Championship. This makes it obvious why the fans have been holding their breath for his return. Not only is he a gifted offensive player, but he is an incredible defender as well.
After missing two months of game action due to family matters, Wiggins is back with the team, and is expected to be good to go for Game 1 of the Playoffs. Here is what Stephen Curry said,
“He looks good!”
Steve Kerr talked about Wigs as well and said,
“He’s just like Andre Iguodala, they always stay ready, he never gets tired!”
Even Kevon Looney addressed Wiggins’ return and said,
“He looked amazing!”
How important is Andrew Wiggins going to be?
As I mentioned above, Wiggins was the 2nd most important player on the Warriors’ Championship squad. He’s an incredible two-way player who can take over the game on any night. So far, the Kings have been a feisty young team, and matching them against the youth and experience of Wiggins will help the Dubs.
It’s not only the impact he has on the floor, but also the energy he brings to the bench and the locker room. In the Playoffs, every single thing matters, and no one knows that better than the Dubs. Having Wiggins back at the perfect time is a blessing for the defending champions.
