If Golden State fans should have learned anything from the 112-104 loss to the Indiana Pacers (besides the fact that Andrew Nembhard was the steal of the 2022 NBA Draft), it’s that the Warriors need Andrew Wiggins on the floor as much as possible this season. If he was out there, I truly believe his elite defense would have pushed the Warriors to a crunch-time victory.

Last year’s NBA All-Star starter was inactive as he was dealing with right adductor tightness, and you could tell the Warriors desperately missed his presence. He has only missed 3 games so far this season, but every game he’s in street clothes has resulted in a loss (12/5 vs Indiana, 11/21 at New Orleans, 11/4 at New Orleans).

He’s arguably been the most efficient and steady player for the Dubs so far. As a youthful veteran, he brings balance and athleticism at the wing position on both sides of the court that the Warriors must have out there. It seems to be that he’s often the x-factor for this team’s winning habits.

Talk about reliability from the former #1 pick this season: Andrew Wiggins is shooting 45 3P% (leads team but he’s never finished above 40% in a full season) and 51.1 FG%. Look at the growth that he has had in the Golden State system in the past two seasons. The former Minnesota Timberwolve has never felt more at home than he does in the Bay Area: He’s just thriving.

When healthy, Wiggins seems to be one of the top second-option players you’ll come across in this league. He’s playing with an aggressiveness every time he’s out on the court that the Warriors don’t want to miss out on. Stay healthy, Maple Jordan.

Follow Arden Cravalho on Twitter @a_cravalho.

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