Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has made the announcement that Andrew Wiggins will be taking an indefinite leave from the team.
Kerr disclosed this news during an appearance on 95.7 The Game’s Willard & Dibs, stating, “Wiggs is dealing with a personal matter. … We do expect him to be back but we just don’t exactly know when.”
As a result, Wiggins will not be available for Thursday’s game against the New York Knicks, as indicated by the team’s injury report.
His absence was already noticeable in the recent 123-112 victory over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night, with the team confirming his non-participation due to the personal reasons mentioned by Kerr.
This isn’t the first time Wiggins has had to step away due to personal matters, as a similar situation sidelined him for the final two months of the 2021-22 regular season. However, he managed to return in time for the Warriors’ first-round playoff series against the Sacramento Kings.
The current season has presented its challenges for Wiggins, marked by persistent trade rumors leading up to the deadline, though no significant deal materialized.
Standing at 6’7″, Wiggins’ performance has also drawn attention in light of Golden State’s 30-27 record, placing them ninth in the Western Conference.
His scoring average of 12.7 points per game is notably lower than in previous seasons, and his defensive impact has diminished compared to his pivotal role during the Warriors’ 2022 championship campaign.
In response to Wiggins’ absence against Washington, Kerr opted to include Moses Moody in the starting lineup, a decision that may persist in the upcoming games.
Despite Wiggins’ struggles, his absence poses challenges for Golden State’s aspirations to improve their position in the standings and avoid the play-in tournament.
