December 9th 2024.
In a recent announcement, the Warriors revealed that Andrew Wiggins will not be playing in their upcoming game against the Timberwolves. This is unfortunate news for Golden State, as Wiggins is known as their top defender against Anthony Edwards. The team had been dealing with Wiggins' right ankle impingement for a couple of weeks and it flared up again in their last game against Minnesota.
Coach Steve Kerr assured fans that Wiggins' injury is not a major concern and that he is considered day-to-day. However, this isn't the first time Wiggins has been sidelined this season, as he has already missed three games. Kerr acknowledged that injuries are a common occurrence in the league and the team will have to rely on their depth to fill the void left by Wiggins.
Not only is Wiggins a key player on defense, but he also ranks second on the team in scoring with an average of 17.2 points per game. His 42.7% shooting from the 3-point range is also crucial for the Warriors, who have been struggling to find consistent shooting outside of Steph Curry. The team has lost six of their last seven games, including their previous matchup against the Timberwolves where they were held to just 90 points.
In that game, Anthony Edwards proved to be a difficult matchup for the Warriors, scoring 30 points and dishing out nine assists. He was especially effective after Wiggins left the game due to his ankle injury. Edwards currently ranks ninth in the league in scoring with an average of 26.4 points per game and has been shooting 42.2% from the 3-point range.
Without Wiggins, the Warriors had to make some adjustments to their lineup, including moving Draymond Green to the bench. This decision was made in order to give rookie Jonathan Kuminga more playing time. Green, who understands the importance of veteran support for young players, accepted the decision with professionalism. The team's 14th different starting lineup of the season also includes Steph Curry, Gary Payton II, Buddy Hield, and Jonathan Kuminga.
Kerr explained that the team is looking to give Kuminga more opportunities to handle the ball, as he showed great potential in their recent game against the Rockets where he matched his career-high with 33 points. As the Warriors continue to struggle, Kerr has decided to experiment with different lineups in hopes of finding a winning combination. Both Green and Curry have shown their willingness to make changes in order to turn the team's fortunes around.
In other news, Kerr responded to the trend of players working out and lifting weights after games by joking that in the past, they would have just grabbed a cigarette and a Big Mac. He also praised the baseball-style schedule of playing a team twice in a row, as it allows for both coaching staffs to make adjustments between games. Kerr also acknowledged the leadership of both Green and Curry in their willingness to make changes and sacrifices for the team's success. He expressed confidence in the team's connection and sacrifice, which he believes will help them through tough times like their current slide.
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