Andrew Wiggins Returns as Warriors Tackle Lakers

After missing the majority of the Warriors’ training camp due to an illness, Andrew Wiggins marked his return to the court during the Golden State Warriors’ preseason victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night. Head coach Steve Kerr positioned Wiggins in the starting lineup alongside Jonathan Kuminga, creating a larger on-court presence and moving Wiggins to the shooting guard spot. Kerr expressed satisfaction with this configuration, stating the lineup had met his expectations for an effective game.”The key is JK and Wiggs running the floor. It puts a lot of pressure on teams,” Kerr said, highlighting the impact of their athleticism and pace.

Wiggins and Kuminga each scored 11 points in the game. Wiggins, however, faced challenges with his shooting, making only 3 of 9 attempts from the field and missing all three of his shots from beyond the arc. Nevertheless, he excelled at the free-throw line, successfully converting all five of his attempts.

Overall, the starting lineup logged 11 minutes together and concluded the game with a minus-1 in the plus-minus category. Coach Kerr has envisioned the Curry-Wiggins backcourt ever since it became more likely that Klay Thompson might leave Golden State, suggesting that Wiggins and Thompson are interchangeable elements due to their similar size and dual abilities. While Wiggins may not yet match Thompson’s shooting proficiency, he compensates with strong on-ball defensive skills.

Meanwhile, Moses Moody faces a contract decision with the extension deadline approaching on Monday. Discussions have centered on potentially securing a deal similar to a midlevel exception range. “Both Moses and his teammates are handling the situation well,” Kerr commented, adding that their focus remains on gameplay even amidst contract talks.

In other league news, Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George suffered a bone bruise during a preseason game but escaped structural damage. An MRI confirmed the injury would not result in long-term issues, and he is set for reevaluation before the season’s opening game against the Milwaukee Bucks next Wednesday.

For Phoenix Suns fans, rookie Dunn shows promise with exceptional defensive prowess. Initially drafted with skepticism due to his shooting capabilities, he surprised many by improving his three-point shooting in the preseason games, which bodes well for his standing in the upcoming season.