Andrew Wiggins Dealing With Family Matter Amid Absence

NBA forward Andrew Wiggins, 29, abruptly left the Golden State Warriors a week ago, tallying his second mysterious absence from the team in as many seasons. It's an unfortunate situation for the still-young talent but there's hope for Wiggins this season.

This time around, The Athletic's Shams Charania reported that Wiggins is dealing with family matters that will require him to sit out for an indefinite period of time. However, the Warriors fully expect the former No. 1 overall pick to return this NBA calendar year.

"I'm told Andrew Wiggins is dealing and tending to a serious family matter right now, and the Warriors are giving him his space, they're giving him his time," Charania reported.

Last year's unexplained absence led to salacious rumors regarding Wiggins' absence. 

The team later revealed that Wiggins dealt with family issues surrounding his father's health. There is no confirmation from Golden State that Wiggins' father's health issues were the cause for his recent absences.

Wiggins is owed a base salary of $24.3 million this season. He has three years and $84.6 million left in his deal. He joined the Warriors in 2020 after roughly six seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He earned his first NBA championship and All-Star honors in 2022. 

Wiggins is averaging a career-low 12.7 points per game this season. The 29-year-old forward missed his fourth consecutive game Sunday. Backup Moses Moody assumed Wiggins' minutes throughout his absence, averaging 12.3 points and four rebounds per game. Golden State (32-27) won three matchups without Wiggins this week, facing the Wizards, Knicks and Raptors.

That doesn't entail that the Warriors don't need Wiggins, considering their 55-26 deficit at the half on Sunday against the Celtics.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - FEBRUARY 23: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Golden State Warriors smiles before the game against the Charlotte Hornets on February 23, 2024 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

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