When the Warriors tip off against the Kings in Sacramento on Saturday night, it will mark 11 days since Andrew Wiggins returned to the team after tending to a family matter for nearly two months.
According to ESPN’s Kendra Andrews, Golden State is fully expecting to have Wiggins back in the playoff opener. Andrews joined 95.7 The Game’s “Willard & Dibs” Monday afternoon to give the latest update on Wiggins.
Wiggins update at 7:10 mark
“The Warriors are planning on having him back in Game 1,” Andrews told Mark Willard and Larry Krueger, filling in for Dan Dibley. “That is the absolute plan. I’ve been told that he’s looking good in his scrimmages and his practices. They wanted to play it really safe with keeping him out of that Portland game (Sunday) but the Warriors are happy with his progression.”
Wiggins missed the final 25 contests of the regular season, while reportedly helping his father with a "serious medical situation," according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania. He returned a week ago, but sat out the final three games of the regular season while getting his conditioning back.
Barring any injuries between now and the opening, Wiggins’ return could bring the team to full strength for the first time since Gary Payton II was acquired at the trade deadline. The Warriors would love to add his two-way abilities ASAP, even if he has a minutes restriction.
“If he’s gonna be starting or not – I don’t know,” Andrews said. “I remember when Steph Curry came back from his injury in the playoffs last season, they elected to bring him off the bench for the first two games. That’s not out of the question for Andrew Wiggins, who missed two months, right? But the good thing with Andrew Wiggins was that he was able to work out while he was away from the team, so the team is feeling comfortable about bringing him along quicker, a little bit quicker, and having him ready for Game 1.”
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