Wiggins, following Steph’s instance, embracing coming off bench initially appeared on NBC Sports activities Bayarea
SAN FRANCISCO – Although Andrew Wiggins was unclear on whether or not he would begin Saturday for Recreation 1 of the Warriors-Kings first-round Western Convention playoff collection, his perspective was abundantly clear.
He’s prepared to embrace both function, a disposition that shines yet one more mild on the management of Stephen Curry.
Requested about his standing on Thursday, Wiggins advised NBC Sports activities Bay Space that he didn’t but know whether or not he would begin or come off the bench.
“I’ve bought to attend and see,” he stated after observe at Chase Heart. “However I’d get it if (coach Steve Kerr) stated he desires me to return off the bench. I wasn’t right here for a very long time, so I’d perceive. You’ll be able to’t say something about that.
“I imply, Steph got here off the bench final 12 months. What? Steph can do it, however I can’t?”
Wiggins cracked a broad grin, which rapidly advanced into full laughter.
He paused, grinned once more, after which laughed tougher, presumably on the absurdity of anybody on the Golden State roster making an attempt to justify prioritizing their ego when the staff’s celebrity is prepared to submerge his ego for the sake of the staff.
Curry’s standing getting into the playoffs final season was about as questionable as that of Wiggins this season. Curry missed 4 weeks after sustaining a sprained ligament in his left foot on March 16, 2022. He was not cleared to play till April 15, at some point earlier than Recreation 1 of the first-round collection in opposition to the Nuggets.
The 2-time MVP got here off the bench and performed 22 minutes. Curry was a reserve for the primary 4 video games of the collection, lastly returning to the beginning lineup in Recreation 5, during which the Warriors clinched the collection.
Wiggins’ absence, nonetheless, is twice so long as that of Curry. Wiggins final performed on Feb. 13. He could have missed 25 video games and, furthermore, 62 days when he walks onto the court docket at Golden 1 Heart in Sacramento.
Wiggins has scrimmaged a minimum of 4 occasions over the previous 10 days, and his teammates and coaches are delighted with what they’ve seen.
“He didn’t actually seem like he’d misplaced a step,” Curry stated.
“He seemed wonderful,” Kevon Looney stated after the staff’s scrimmage on Wednesday.
“Andrew appears to be like nice, feeling good, able to go,” Kerr stated after a lightweight session on Thursday.
There may be one factor that significantly differentiates Wiggins’ state of affairs from that of Curry. Curry has way more expertise coming off the bench, having accomplished so a number of occasions early in his profession and twice within the postseason earlier than filling that function 4 occasions to start final postseason.
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In eight NBA seasons, Wiggins has performed 662 video games (together with postseason) and each one in every of them as a starter.
Ought to he come off the bench on Saturday – and staff sources say that call has not been decided – it can snap a career-long private streak.
Wiggins merely shrugged at the potential of snapping his streak.
“Steph set the bar excessive,” he stated. “I can’t be mad at that.”
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