Warriors are hopeful of Andrew Wiggins returning this season

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Warriors coach Steve Kerrremains hopeful that Andrew Wiggins will return this season afterthe veteran forward missed his 20th straight game because of afamily matter.

Wiggins has been working out on his own every day but when andif he returns to the defending NBA champions, the training andmedical staffs would need to evaluate his fitness and how much hemight be able to contribute and how soon.

“Beyond that, once he’s back our training staff will be able toget with him and see where he is,” Kerr said Tuesday.

There have been no details on what Wiggins is dealing withbecause it is private. He hasn’t played since Feb. 13 against theWizards.

He missed his 40th game overall Tuesday against New Orleans,having been sidelined for three with left foot soreness, 10 becauseof a strained adductor in his right thigh, and seven games with anon-COVID illness.

The 28-year-old Wiggins signed a four-year contract extensionlast October. He is averaging 17.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.3assists in 37 games this season.

A first-time All-Star last season, Wiggins reached the playoffsfor just the second time in his eight-year career and often took ona tough defensive assignment in helping the Warriors capture theirfourth championship in eight seasons.

Still, the timeline for when Wiggins might play is stillunclear.

“There’s hope but it’s I guess indefinite, it’s also appropriatebecause we don’t know,” Kerr said.