“Ready to go” that’s what Steve Kerr had said about Andrew Wiggins on Tuesday when asked about injuries. The Warriors, currently the fifth seed in the Western Conference with a 14-9 record, have struggled a bit on the road this season, going 7-5 in their away games. Losing Wiggs, especially in this crucial elimination game, is a significant setback for the Bay Area team.

He tried to warm up before the game, but Wiggins was ruled OUT just an hour before tip-off because of right ankle impingement. “Wiggins went to Jacob Rubin and Drew Yoder after warmups and you could tell something was wrong,” hoops reporter Dalton Johnson posted. This means he’ll miss his 2nd straight game. It’s a bummer for the Warriors.

2014’s No.1 pick has been battling an ankle injury for a while. Wiggins first tweaked his ankle against the Suns on November 30th. He showed toughness and resilience, playing through the pain a few days later against the Nuggets too.

But let’s be real, the hoopster probably shouldn’t have. Coach Kerr himself admitted it! It’s clear now that the injury was more serious than they initially thought. He tried to play through the pain, but it eventually got the better of him during the game against the Timberwolves. Now, he’s sidelined, and Golden State is missing his two-way skills.

The Warriors are making some lineup changes. They’re starting Gary Payton II and Jonathan Kuminga alongside their star trio of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Buddy Hield.

The Houston Rockets haven’t beaten the Warriors in a while—like, a really long while…

The last time was pre-covid! But with the Warriors missing Wiggins, the Rockets see a golden opportunity to break this streak. Because past records tell us that Andrew has been instrumental in embarrassing the Houston side.

Andrew Wiggins previously had Jalen Green in a headlock!

Andrew Wiggins has been a key player for the Golden State Warriors this season, contributing both offensively and defensively. His ability to guard tough assignments and knockdown shots has been crucial for the team’s success.

He’s been shutting down opponents like Jalen Green, who’s been struggling against him. The numbers don’t lie. Green has averaged just 10.5 points on 20.7% shooting against the Warriors this season. That’s a far cry from his season average of 20.2 points per game against other teams. Specifically, Wiggins has guarded Green for 11.5 minutes, allowing him to score only 7 points on 2-of-8 shooting.

It’s clear that Wiggs has a significant edge over Green. GSW has been dominating the Rockets, and Andrew has been a huge part of that. He’s not just a great defender, but he’s also a reliable scorer. When he’s on the court, the Warriors are a tough team to beat.

Jonathan Kuminga went off against the Rockets last week. He dropped a career-high 33 points, while Wiggins wasn’t too far behind with 23 efficient points. Wiggins also grabbed 9 rebounds, showcasing his all-around game. It was a great performance by both players. But now, Andrew’s ankle injury is throwing a wrench into the Warriors’ plans.

It’s a major blow for the team, especially considering how well he’s been playing. It’ll be interesting to see how the Warriors fare against the Rockets without Wiggins. Can they continue their dominance, or will the Rockets finally break the streak?