Golden State Warriors star Andrew Wiggins ‘nearing a return to the team and will be in attendance on Tuesday’ – after missing 22 games while ‘dealing with a serious medical issue involving his father and ex-NBA player Mitchell’
Andrew Wiggins is expected to rejoin the Golden State Warriors this week after missing the past 22 games for personal reasons, the team announced on Monday.
It’s unlikely Wiggins would play in any of the Warriors’ final regular-season games, a stretch of three contests that begins on Tuesday at home against Oklahoma City.
The Warriors (41-38) are clinging to the sixth seed in the Western Conference, a half-game ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers. The regular season ends Sunday.
Wiggins, who hasn’t played since February 13, has reportedly been tending to a family matter, despite rumors on social media that the forward was cheated on by his decade-long partner Mychal, with whom he shares two daughters.
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‘Golden State’s Andrew Wiggins plans to attend Warriors-Thunder on Tuesday,’ tweeted Shams Charania, of The Athletic, on Monday. ‘The reason for Wiggins’ leave of absence since mid-February is that his father, Mitchell Wiggins, has been dealing with a serious medical situation, sources close to the situation say.’
Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins is finally available after missing the team’s last 22 games
Wiggins has taken a leave of absence since mid-February due to his father being ill, tweeted Sham Charania, of The Athletic, on Monday, squashing rumors that he was cheated on
Wiggins and his girlfriend Mychal (right) have two daughters, born in 2018 and 2021
The son of an NBA player himself, Wiggins’ father played for the Houston Rockets from 1984 to 1987 before rejoining the team for a year, two years later (1989-90). Mitchell Wiggins also briefly played for the Philadelphia 76ers, from 1991-92.
Meanwhile, the Warriors are 12-10 without their All-Star swingman.
Wiggins, 27, is fourth on the team with 17.1 points per game. He’s shooting 47.3 percent from the floor and 38.6 percent from the 3-point line.
‘We’d love to have him and hope that that does happen, because we want to be whole and I’m sure he wants to be a part of this,’ Stephen Curry told ESPN last week. ‘But when he walks in the door, it’ll be when it’s the right time for him. That’s kind of the expectation at this point.’
Wiggins missed 41 games for Golden State this season, a year on since his All-Star nomination
Warriors coach Steve Kerr revealed to reporters that Wiggins has been out in the gym every day while away from the team. However, the 28-year-old will have to prove his fitness to team doctors so that they can determine how soon he would be available to return to game action.
Wiggins has missed a tally of 41 games this season with left foot soreness, a strained adductor and illness that isn’t related to COVID-19.
Following Golden State’s fourth NBA title in the last seven years, Wiggins signed a four-year contract extension with the franchise.
Last season, the Canadian averaged 17.2 points per game, earning his first All-Star nomination since coming into the league as the first overall pick of the 2014 draft.
