Latest Update: Warriors Confirms All Star Player To A Devastating Injury

The Golden State Warriors will not be at full strength for their second preseason game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center, even after defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 91-90 on.

Steve Kerr used 19 of the Warriors’ 20-man preseason roster; the only player not available  due to injury was Andrew Wiggins. The 2022 All-Star will not play  even though he returned to practice after training camp in Hawaii, according to ESPN’s Kendra Andrews.

Andrew Wiggins’ absence is a slight nuisance to the Warriors plans

According to Andrews, Andrew Wiggins is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season on October 23. However, his recent absence could be a source of frustration for both him and the team. Wiggins is aiming to bounce back from a career-low season, and head coach Steve Kerr has expressed high expectations, planning for Wiggins to play a significant role in Golden State’s offense. Kerr also noted that Wiggins returned in excellent shape prior to his recent illness.

Wiggins was seen on the bench wearing a mask during  win against the Clippers, where Lindy Waters III hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to secure the victory. Without Wiggins, the Warriors started with an interesting front-court combination of Jonathan Kuminga, Draymond Green, and Trayce Jackson-Davis, alongside Stephen Curry and De’Anthony Melton in the backcourt. While there were concerns about spacing, especially in half-court sets, Kerr intends to experiment with this lineup further as he evaluates options throughout the preseason.

Although Wiggins’ position as the starting small forward isn’t fully set, he was viewed as the leading candidate to join Curry and Green in the starting five, with other roster spots still up for grabs. The Warriors are likely considering this illness a minor setback, though it could impact Wiggins’ chances of starting in the season opener against the Portland Trail Blazers. In the meantime, his absence opens up opportunities for players like Kuminga and Moses Moody, the latter of whom had a strong performance off the bench with 12 points, four rebounds, and two steals in just 13 minutes during Saturday’s game.

With four preseason games remaining beyond Wednesday, Wiggins still has time to prepare and potentially secure his spot before the regular season begins.

 

Steve Kerr provides ultimate goal for Warriors forward entering pivotal season

Head coach Steve Kerr’s ultimate goal may have provided Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors with even more motivation heading into a crucial fourth season in the league.

Despite the fact that many people think Kuminga is destined for fame after a fantastic second half of the previous season, there are still legitimate concerns about the 21-year-old’s job with the Warriors and whether or not he will start on opening night on October 23 against the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Warriors need Jonathan Kuminga to rise from the rotation congestion

Beyond Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, Golden State has a deep roster, which presents Kerr with a number of lineup and rotational issues right now. Kerr wants his young forward to be the one to break free of the defensive bind that the Warriors are in need of one or two players to do so.

In response to a question on Kuminga on Monday, Kerr mentioned Curry in particular, as well as the two-time MVP’s own 2012–13 fourth-year breakthrough.

“Took Steph four years and that was after three years of college,” added Kerr. “There’s nothing guaranteed, it’s just you seperate yourself from the group and you make it impossible for the coach to not play you.”

Following an injury-interrupted third season that saw him appear in only 26 games, Curry responded in emphatic manner and truly began the journey that’s brought him to where he is now. The 25-year-old increased his scoring from 14.7 to 22.9 points per game, averaging a career-high 38.2 minutes and an incredible 45.3% three-point shooting percentage. Curry was tenth in the Most Improved Player category and eleventh overall in the MVP vote that season.

The Warriors were fortunate to secure Curry on a four-year, $44 million extension ahead to the 2012-13 season, with his swift growth making that one of the most team-friendly deals in NBA history. Kuminga is now dealing with his own contract situation, though if a deal is done before the deadline of October 21, it may cost him an additional $100 million.

In Saturday’s Golden State preseason game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Kuminga started at small forward in Andrew Wiggins’ absence due to sickness. In 19 minutes, the former seventh overall pick scored seven points and pulled down a team-high seven rebounds in the 91-90 triumph.

Is Kuminga able to make the necessary progress to become the 35-minute player Kerr describes? Attempting to duplicate Curry’s fourth-year comeback should undoubtedly be Kuminga’s top priority at this point, since it’s an issue that may make or break the Warriors season.