For the first time since being out for over two months, Andrew Wiggins took the podium Tuesday and addressed his lengthy absence from the Golden State Warriors.
“I just want to say thank you to Joe [Lacob], Bob [Myers] Steve [Kerr] and the whole Warriors organization for giving me space and privacy during the time I needed to be with my family,” Wiggins said, via A2z Daily News. “Thank you all, for the people, that also respect my privacy and space. I appreciate that a lot.”
Joined by top executive Bob Myers in his press conference while sporting a new haircut, Wiggins provided insightful words that summed up his total inactivity to the team.
“When you’re in a certain situation and your family needs you, and it requires your attention and your love, that’s my first priority,” Wiggins said. “My career and everything, family is always first for me, it will always be that way. I felt like I was in a safe space to come back, I feel like we got everything settled. Not fully settled, but in a safe place where I can come back.”
Due to a personal matter, Wiggins was absent since Feb. 13, missing 22 consecutive games for Golden State. His inactivity created raucous speculations and swirling anxiety around the Dub Nation, given the fact that the defending champs are logjammed in the tight Western Conference playoff seeding and the star forward’s two-way productions are highly critical.
In mid-March, the Warriors went on to report that attending to a family matter is the cause of Wiggins being out. And on Sunday, this reason only became clearer that the forward’s father, Mitchell Wiggins, is seriously dealing with a medical illness.
Dubs’ Tuesday matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder marks the 23rd straight game that Wiggins has been out.
Albeit there are some who got concerned about his conditioning and preparedness to be back in action, Wiggins noted that he still has been in great shape physically as he maintained that fitness off the court.
“Not terrible,” Wiggins said of his conditioning. “I’ve been working out. Obviously the NBA is a different type of conditioning. I don’t think It’ll be too long”
It remains yet to be seen when he will make a return and be activated by coach Steve Kerr. Following Tuesday, Golden State will play two more games: Wednesday at Sacramento, and Sunday at Portland.
Though the Warriors (41-38l are yet to lock a definite postseason spot as sixth-placers, Wiggins is already excited about helping the team to run it back and repeat as champions.
“I’m excited. I’m very excited,” said Wiggins about playoffs. “That’s the best part of basketball – the most competitive part.
“I’ve been away from the game for a little while but I’m excited to get back.”
