The Warriors’ title defense received a major boost Monday.
Former All-Star forward Andrew Wiggins is expected to return to the team early this week, reports ESPN. Wiggins has not played for Golden State since Feb. 13, missing every game since because of a personal matter. After a loss to the Nuggets on Sunday, the Warriors entered the final week of the regular season in sixth place, with a slim two-game lead over the ninth-place Timberwolves in the West. Golden State has only three games left to avoid the play-in tournament, a home matchup against the Thunder on Tuesday before finishing the regular season on the road against Sacramento and Portland.
Wiggins is a massive piece for the Dubs’ title hopes. As disappointing as this season has been for Golden State, in a Western Conference without a runaway favorite, a healthy and in-shape Wiggins would give the Warriors as good a chance as any team to make it to the Finals.