As a frustrating 2022-23 season starts to wind down, the Golden State Warriors are hoping to build some real momentum heading into the playoffs.
The defending NBA champs recently rolled off a five-game winning streak, but they’re now on a three-game losing streak, which has caused them to drop to seventh place in the Western Conference.
One impediment to them getting off the mat has been the absence of star forward Andrew Wiggins, who has been out for nearly a month due to a personal matter.
Head coach Steve Kerr says he hopes Wiggins will be able to return this season, but it sounds like he’s prepared to move forward without him the rest of the way.
Steve Kerr said the “hope” is that Andrew Wiggins returns this season, but it isn’t a sure thing. Here’s the full soundbite. pic.twitter.com/grgTLdeVg3
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 11, 2023
“I think that’s the hope, but really, there’s nothing to report on,” said Kerr of Wiggins possibly coming back. “We’re giving him his space as we talked about as he deals with something that’s way more important than a game, and if he’s able to come back, that would be great, and if not, then that’s the case, and whatever happens, we handle it accordingly.”
Since coming to the Warriors midway through the 2019-20 season, Wiggins has become a major part of the team’s success.
Over the last couple of seasons, he has greatly improved his shooting efficiency throughout the court, as well as his defense.
In fact, by last season Wiggins had become known as one of the NBA’s best defenders at the forward position, and he was rewarded by being voted in as a starter for the All-Star game.
So far this season, he is averaging 17.1 points per game while shooting a career-high 39.6 percent from 3-point range.
Defense has been a big problem for Golden State this season, as it ranks just 18th in defensive rating this season, and it is likely a big reason why they are just 7-26 on the road, which is one of the league’s worst road records.
NEXT: The Warriors And Pistons Share An Embarrassing Record This Season
