Andrew Wiggins, the talented forward for the Golden State Warriors, has had a notably eventful 2023-2024 NBA season, filled with both triumphs and personal challenges. A key member of the Warriors’ championship roster, Wiggins’ contributions were critical during their 2022 NBA Finals run. However, over the course of the 2023-2024 season, Wiggins faced personal obstacles that kept him away from the court for an extended period. His absence was a significant development for both the Warriors and the broader NBA community, as it left fans and analysts wondering about his return and the impact on the team’s performance.
Early Career and Rise to Prominence
Andrew Wiggins was drafted first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2014 NBA Draft but was quickly traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. There, he earned the 2015 NBA Rookie of the Year award, establishing himself as one of the most promising young players in the league. Wiggins had the reputation of a gifted scorer, and his ability to create his own shots and finish in transition made him an exciting talent.
While Wiggins showed flashes of brilliance in Minnesota, his time with the Timberwolves was also marked by inconsistency. He never fully developed into the superstar many had anticipated, despite his athleticism and scoring prowess. The Timberwolves struggled as a team, and Wiggins’ individual performance was often viewed through the lens of missed potential.
In 2020, Wiggins was traded to the Golden State Warriors as part of a deal that sent D’Angelo Russell to the Timberwolves. The Warriors, fresh off an injury-ravaged 2019-2020 season, were looking to build around their established stars, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. For Wiggins, this represented a fresh start in a system that emphasized ball movement, team play, and defense—areas where he had previously been criticized.
Wiggins’ Impact with the Warriors
When Wiggins joined the Warriors, his development took a positive turn. His versatility on both ends of the floor allowed him to fit seamlessly into Golden State’s system. Offensively, he could serve as a second or third option, while defensively, he became an integral piece of the Warriors’ defensive schemes. His ability to guard multiple positions and provide scoring as needed made him a perfect complement to the team’s stars.
In the 2022 NBA Finals, Wiggins was arguably the Warriors’ second-most important player behind Curry. His defense on Boston’s Jayson Tatum and his rebounding were crucial to Golden State’s championship victory. Wiggins’ all-around contributions helped solidify his place as an indispensable part of the Warriors’ title aspirations, and fans began to see the player they had always hoped Wiggins could become.
The Personal Absence: 2023-2024 Season
As the 2023-2024 NBA season unfolded, the Warriors were optimistic about their chances to contend for another championship. However, in the early part of the season, Andrew Wiggins was absent from the team for personal reasons. This absence would eventually last for several weeks, and during that time, there was widespread speculation about the cause.
Wiggins was initially absent due to a family matter, which was later revealed to be connected to a deeply personal and private situation. While Wiggins’ representatives and the Warriors organization maintained a level of privacy, it became clear that his absence was not due to injury or any sort of professional issue. This left fans and analysts to focus on the bigger picture: how would Wiggins’ personal absence affect the Warriors’ lineup and their overall performance?
The timing of Wiggins’ absence was particularly tough for the Warriors. The team had high expectations coming into the season, and with the rise of younger players like Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga, there was hope that the Warriors could maintain their status as one of the top teams in the Western Conference. However, Wiggins’ absence forced Golden State to rely more heavily on their veterans, such as Curry, Green, and Thompson. The team’s overall depth was tested, and the Warriors’ rotation had to be adjusted, leading to shifts in roles for multiple players.
Warriors’ Struggles and Adaptations
During Wiggins’ absence, the Warriors faced several challenges. While Stephen Curry continued to perform at an MVP-caliber level, the team’s cohesion was affected. Wiggins had become one of their best two-way players, and his defensive abilities were particularly missed. Without him, the Warriors lacked the same level of perimeter defense, particularly in matchups against high-scoring forwards.
In his absence, the Warriors leaned on veterans like Draymond Green to pick up the slack defensively, but Green’s age and occasional injuries meant that the team couldn’t always rely on him for consistent defensive intensity. The absence of Wiggins also put more pressure on the Warriors’ younger players, like Moody, Kuminga, and even the newly acquired players, to step up and fill the void.
On the offensive end, Wiggins’ ability to score in transition, hit timely three-pointers, and create plays for others was sorely missed. Golden State’s offense, which typically thrives on ball movement and spacing, was occasionally out of rhythm, especially in matchups against stronger defensive teams.
Head coach Steve Kerr was faced with the challenge of maintaining the Warriors’ elite status without one of their key contributors. Kerr made adjustments, utilizing different lineups, including more time for shooters like Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole, but the lack of Wiggins’ all-around contributions meant the Warriors were not quite the same.
The Return of Wiggins
Andrew Wiggins eventually returned to the Warriors in late 2023, much to the relief of the team and its fans. His return was met with great excitement, as Wiggins had become a critical component of the Warriors’ championship aspirations.
Upon his return, it was clear that Wiggins had stayed in game shape and was ready to re-integrate into the lineup. He wasted no time making an impact, providing scoring and defensive versatility right from the outset. His first few games back saw him return to his usual role as a versatile forward who could guard multiple positions and contribute as a secondary scorer.
One of the biggest questions after his return was how Wiggins would mesh with the team again, considering the Warriors had faced challenges without him. Fortunately, his re-integration was seamless. The Warriors were able to regain their defensive fortitude, and Wiggins’ ability to hit three-pointers once again added much-needed spacing for Curry and Thompson. Furthermore, Wiggins provided a much-needed spark in transition, where his athleticism shone.
Wiggins’ return coincided with a period of renewed focus for the Warriors. With their full roster intact, they began to find their rhythm once again, improving their performance both offensively and defensively. The team’s depth was restored, and Wiggins’ presence allowed them to better manage their rotations during the long 82-game season.
