Andrew Wiggins to Return for Game 1 of Warriors vs. Sacramento Kings

Andrew Wiggins to Return for Game 1 of Warriors vs. Sacramento Kings

Edwin Kiplagat
updated at April 14, 2023 at 12:49 PM
  • Andrew Wiggins returns to action when the Warriors take on the Sacramento Kings in the playoffs
  • Wiggins missed the final 25 games of the Warriors' regular season due to a personal family matter
  • The 28-year-old played a crucial role in the Golden State Warriors' championship run last season

The Golden State Warriors' championship core is set to be reunited in Game 1 of the playoffs against the Sacramento Kings on Saturday.

After sitting out since February 13, Andrew Wiggins has been cleared to return to action. The 28-year-old played a crucial role for the Warriors in last year's NBA Finals.

Andrew Wiggins, Golden State Warriors, Stephen Curry, Sacramento Kings, Steve Kerr
Wiggins remains a key player for the Warriors. Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE.
Source: Getty Images

Wiggins will be a welcome return for the defending champions, who struggled all season away from Chase Center.

The No. 1 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft was arguably the Warriors' best player in last season's playoff and if Steve Kerr's team is going to make another run to the finals, they'll need him healthy and firing Wiggins.

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He missed the Warriors' final 25 games of the regular season due to a personal family matter but returned to the team earlier this month, watching the final three games from the sidelines, per NBC Sports.

Wiggins return vs. Kings

Kerr said Wiggins is ready to go this weekend.

"Andrew looks great, feeling good and is ready to go."

However, the coach is unsure how many minutes the returning star will play since he has been out of action for too long, per ESPN.

"I think it sort of depends on how he feels tomorrow and going into Saturday. On the one hand, Wiggs is one of those guys who just doesn't seem to fall out of shape or get tired. He's just a naturally gifted athlete. On the other hand, he hasn't played in 10 weeks. So maybe the game will dictate it. We'll just have to play it by ear."

Wiggins' returns give the Warriors a boost on both ends of the court. He averaged 25 points against the Kings in the regular season, on 55.6% from the field, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.3 steals.

He also averaged 17.1 points and 5.0 rebounds in 37 NBA games.

Curry on Wiggins

Sports Brief earlier reported on Warriors star, Stephen Curry's touching message to Wiggins while he was away from the team.

The Golden State talisman explained it was a tough situation but expressed support to him as both a friend as as a teammate.

Wiggins was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, playing in nine seasons including the Warriors' 2022 run to the title.

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Edwin Kiplagat photo
Edwin Kiplagat
Edwin Kiplagat has five years of experience in journalism working as a Sports Editor at Africa Insight Communications and ESPN. Edwin Kiplagat is a Bachelor's Degree holder in journalism from the Multimedia University of Kenya.