![]() ![]() This season, his pursuit (NBA-high 33.0) has him battling Luka Dončić (second at 32.8) into this final week. The Sixers star led the league with 30.6 points per game last season and appeared in 68 games. Joel Embiid is seeking consecutive scoring crowns, which would join him with James Harden (2018-20), now Embiid’s teammate, as the only players in the last decade to do so. With less than seven days left, the scoring title is extremely up for grabs. They must cure their road woes immediately, but Wiggins’ return gives their title defense chances a proper shot after it looked like they had no shot without him. But many factors influence the Warriors’ lack of player availability. ![]() Golden State has been abysmal on the road and went only 5-13 away from the Chase Center with Wiggins in action before his absence. ![]() Plus, we saw his brilliance on the boards last postseason. The Warriors desperately need his shot-making and defense. He’s on pace for field-goal percentage career-highs from the restricted area (72.3), midrange (42.4), on overall 3-pointers (39.6) and catch-and-shoot 3-point accuracy (42.5). Wiggins’ return gives Golden State a trusted lineup for marching through the playoffs.Īu contraire, my imaginary conversation partner! Wiggins’ overall numbers - 17.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.0 stocks/combined steals and blocks - may not blow you away, but his shooting efficiency is incredible. ![]() That same lineup sported a net rating of plus-18.7 in 171 last year’s title run. That unit is outscoring opponents by nearly 22 points per 100 possessions this season. The Warriors’ go-to lineup of Wiggins, Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond and Kevon Looney has been championship-level dominant in 331 minutes of action. Is this just because of the guys he plays alongside? But their minus-1.3 mark without him would be good for the eighth-worst. Over an entire season, the Warriors’ plus-5.2 net rating with Wiggins in action would rank third among all teams. Golden State’s net rating improves by 6.5 points per 100 possessions with Wiggins on the court. On/off numbers can come with much noise, but Wiggins has the third-highest positive swing (behind Draymond Green and Steph Curry) among qualified Warriors this season. What’s the difference when Wiggins is on the floor versus off? Wiggins had 29 points, seven rebounds and four assists. He last played on February 13 in a win over Washington. The Warriors have rarely resembled championship form this season, but let’s talk to ourselves about whether Wiggins’ return puts them back toward the top of the West. While the Warriors have been incredibly supportive of their teammate, they’ve also missed him on the court. Golden State received good news on Monday when Wiggins drew closer to returning from a 22-game absence. Sources say the team will remain cautious with him and won’t rush or pressure the process simply because the playoffs are near.ĭoes this bolster the Warriors’ fortunes?.Williamson is getting some scrimmage work in but still needs to progress in 5-on-5 practices and deal with contact before being cleared to play. I’m told he’s recently been playing low-intensity 3-on-3 with some coaches.Meanwhile, in New Orleans, Zion Williamson is expected to ramp up toward a possible return during the playoffs for a Pelicans team seeming to head that way. Our thoughts are with him and his family. They’ve given Wiggins time and space to deal with his matters and feel comfortable with his decision to come back. Also, the Warriors, to their credit, haven’t applied any pressure on Wiggins to prematurely return.I’m told the situation remains ongoing and will remain something Wiggins must deal with upon returning.Wiggins, I’m told by sources close to the situation, has been away from the team since mid-February due to his father’s health. He plans to attend the team’s game on Tuesday ahead of his on-court return. I’m told Andrew Wiggins is flying back to the Bay Area and rejoining the Warriors after a prolonged absence. With the NBA playoffs looming, a couple of teams needing a boost could get timely star power capable of helping them tremendously. Want this content directly to your inbox every day for free? Sign up here. ![]()
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