Just as the Warriors appeared to be hitting their stride, they were once again struck by the injury bug. Andrew Wiggins did not return for the second half against the Atlanta Hawks following a collision with Clint Capela. Brandin Podziemski took his place in the lineup. According to Anthony Slater of The Athletic, Wiggins’ injury is a left ankle injury, and the timeline for his return remains uncertain. Observers noted that he was limping after the collision with Capela, raising concerns about the severity of the injury.
While Wiggins hasn’t fully reclaimed his previous form for the Warriors, he delivered standout performances against the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers. Over his last 10 games, Wiggins averaged 13.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists, shooting at 49/35/80. Although these numbers surpass his season averages, they still represent a significant dip compared to both his career statistics and his earlier contributions to the Warriors.
Given the Warriors’ history with injuries, they will need to employ a “next-man-up” strategy to compensate for Wiggins’ absence. Expect Brandin Podziemski and Jonathan Kuminga to see increased playing time. Before the injury, Wiggins’ name was circulating in trade rumors, and the speculation is likely to persist as the team navigates through his injury. Hopefully, the ankle injury won’t sideline Andrew Wiggins for an extended period.