30+27+22! Is Championship Wiggins Finally Back?

The Golden State Warriors’ resurgence this season has been a storyline to watch, and their recent 112-108 victory over the short-handed New Orleans Pelicans further solidified their position at the top of the Western Conference. The game was anything but easy, despite facing a depleted Pelicans squad. Golden State led by 10 with six minutes remaining but almost let the lead slip away due to a flurry of late turnovers.

In the final moments, the Warriors’ defense and rebounding held firm. Jose Alvarado’s steal gave the Pelicans a chance to take the lead, but Trey Murphy III’s three-pointer fell short. Draymond Green secured the rebound, was fouled, and hit one of two free throws. Then, he grabbed his own missed free throw and was fouled again, icing the game with another free throw.

With the win, the Warriors improved to 12-3, holding onto the best record in the West. This marks a significant turnaround from their 7-8 start last season and a dramatic improvement over their 6-9 record at the same stage the year prior. Their strong start is reminiscent of the 2021-22 championship season, when the Warriors opened with an 18-2 record through their first 20 games.

A major catalyst for this resurgence? Andrew Wiggins, who looks like he’s finally back to his championship-caliber form.

The Return of Championship Wiggins

It’s impossible to talk about the Warriors’ 2022 title run without highlighting Wiggins’ contributions. During the regular season, he was a model of consistency, earning the nickname “Mr. 18 Points Per Game” with averages of 17.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists while shooting an impressive 46.6% from the field, 39.3% from three, and 63.4% from the line. His breakout continued in the playoffs, where his two-way dominance made him arguably the team’s second-most valuable player behind Stephen Curry.

Fast forward to the 2022-23 season, and the narrative began to shift. Wiggins missed significant time due to personal matters, playing in just 37 regular-season games. Although he returned for the playoffs, his form was far from his championship level. He averaged 16.7 points on 29.7% three-point shooting with a true shooting percentage of 53.8%, contributing to the Warriors’ second-round exit against the Lakers.

Wiggins’ struggles carried over into the 2023-24 season, as personal hardships continued to affect him. His father’s declining health became public knowledge, and the Warriors supported him with patience and understanding. Wiggins’ on-court production dipped to a career-low 13.2 points per game, and for the first time in his NBA career, he came off the bench. The offseason brought tragedy with the passing of his father, leaving fans unsure of what to expect from him in the new season.

Now, it seems Wiggins has found his groove.

Stellar Performances

Through 15 games this season, Wiggins has played in 13, averaging 17.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists while shooting career-best percentages: 48.8% from the field, 41.0% from three, and 76.8% from the free-throw line. His true shooting percentage sits at an impressive 60.7%, marking the first time in his career he has surpassed 57%.

The last three games have been particularly encouraging:

• Against the Clippers: Wiggins scored 22 points on 7-of-12 shooting and blocked a key shot.
• Against the Hawks: He exploded for 27 points on 12-of-17 shooting, hitting 3-of-6 from deep while adding 7 rebounds and 4 assists.
• Against the Pelicans: Wiggins put up 30 points on 9-of-14 shooting, including 3-of-5 from three, while going 4-for-4 from the free-throw line in the clutch.

The 30-point performance was his first since November 2023 and marked the first time since 2022 that he has scored 20+ points in three consecutive games.

Two-Way Impact

Wiggins’ resurgence isn’t just about scoring. His defensive prowess has returned, providing the Warriors with much-needed versatility. He’s averaging 14 contests per game on opponent shots, reducing their shooting percentages by 3.8% overall and 2.5% from three. Within six feet of the basket, opponents are shooting just 45.9% against him—a significant drop from the league average.

His value is evident in the Warriors’ lineups. The team’s most-used three-player combination—Curry, Green, and Wiggins—has logged 270 minutes together, over 100 more than any other trio. This lineup has been dominant, outscoring opponents by 12.1 points per 100 possessions.

What This Means for Golden State

With Wiggins rediscovering his form, the Warriors’ outlook for the season becomes even brighter. Curry remains the team’s offensive engine, leading the team with 22.7 points per game, but having Wiggins as a reliable secondary scorer and defensive anchor gives Golden State another layer of versatility.

Wiggins’ contributions also position him as a potential All-Star candidate. The 29-year-old is in the prime of his career, and if he continues this level of play, he could return to the All-Star stage for the first time since his debut as a starter during the Warriors’ championship season.

More importantly, Wiggins’ resurgence gives Golden State a legitimate shot at another deep playoff run. If he can maintain this trajectory, the Warriors’ championship window remains wide open—and with Curry still performing at a high level, another ring is far from out of reach.