Since he returned to the Warriors’ facility with three games remaining, Andrew Wiggins’ role heading into the playoffs has been a major question mark.
The forward missed the final 25 games of the regular season due to a personal issue, leaving the team the day before the All-Star Break. He signed a four-year extension worth up to $109 million after a near-MVP performance in the NBA Finals, which is part of why his absence has been so glaring.
His presence is enormous in giving the Warriors a chance to compete in the playoffs.
And according to Shams Charania and Anthony Slater of The Athletic, he will compete. They report that Wiggins has been cleared to play and will likely play 20-25 minutes off the bench against the Sacramento Kings.
It’s a massive piece of news that re-asserts the Warriors as potential contenders.
Adam Copeland and Tom Tolbert reacted to news on air and discussed why fans should potentially lower their expectations for the forward.
Wiggins did struggle after returning from an adductor injury this season. He seemed to start getting in a rhythm again just before he left to attend to the family matter.
If Wiggins can play anywhere near the level he did last postseason, it’s hard to imagine the Warriors not competing for another championship. Golden State is favored by a whopping -270 mark by some oddsmakers against the Sacramento Kings and would have either the Memphis Grizzlies or Los Angeles Lakers in the second round.
