Andrew Wiggins is “forever grateful” for how the Warriors handled the long absence

After a two-month absence from basketball, Andrew Wiggins shook off the rust against the Sacramento Kings in the Warriors’ first-round NBA playoff series.

And in the Western Conference semifinals against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Chase Center on Tuesday, the Golden State forward told The Athletic’s Sam Amick on Sunday that he’s fine considering the events of the past few months.

“I’m doing good. I’m in good shape,” Wiggins told Amick exclusive personal interview. “And I feel like I’m always level-headed, always positive. I’m a private guy, so I feel like life is a little more peaceful when you’re private.”

Wiggins took time off from the team starting in mid-February to deal with a personal family matter. After Wiggins returned to the team in early April, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported, citing sources close to the situation, that the Warrior’s extended absence was due to the serious medical condition of his father, Mitchell Wiggins.

Although they fought to stay in the NBA playoffs during Wiggins’ absence, the Warriors never pushed their star to return, offering only support but refusing to discuss the details of the situation publicly. The way the Warriors handled the circumstances surrounding Wiggins strengthened his relationship with the organization, he told Amick.

“I’m forever grateful for what they did,” Wiggins said.

Now Wiggins is back. After a 2022 NBA Finals where he was the best player on the Warriors team aside from Steph Curry, the two-way star is sure to get up to speed quickly. He looked the part with the Kings, averaging 18.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists. He knew his shot would be there, but the time off has affected his ability to get to the other end of the floor.

“I feel like in Game 1, when I scored a couple points, I was like, ‘Pffft, I’m back. I’m good. My feel for the game was still there,” Wiggins told Amick. “My rhythm and fitness felt good enough to compete. So I think I’ll just make it [better], because my condition still needs to be improved. I have a feeling there’s even more. I mean, last year I took the full field [defensively] the entire playoffs and I didn’t do it yet. It’s coming though.”

OTHER: Klay’s defense is fine, but Warriors need buckets vs. Lakers

It’s coming — music to Dub Nation’s ears, especially as the Lakers await in the conference finals. As the Warriors look to defend their NBA championship, Wiggins knows this group is more than capable of accomplishing what many pundits thought was impossible earlier in the season.

“Oh, one hundred percent we can [win another championship]” Wiggins told Amick. “We have the pieces. We know we’ve been trained for it. We have fans. I feel like I was in good shape. I feel like this series has prepared us because this was tough. It was a dogfight, every game. That was hard.”

It becomes even more difficult. But the Warriors — and Wiggins — are ready for LeBron James and the Lakers.

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