Wiggins’ encouraging opening-night effort fueled by Kerr’s belief originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
He Andrew Wiggins of yesteryear was on full display in the Warriors’ season-opening victory Wednesday night in Portland.
Wiggins, starter at shooting guard alongside Steph Curry, finished off with 20 points on 8 of 15 shots from the field in the Historic victory for the Warriors 139-104 about Trail Blazers at Moda Center.
The 29-year-old gave credit to coach Steve Kerr after the win while speaking with Bonta Hill, Chris Mullin and Festus Ezeli on NBC Sports Bay Area’s “Warriors Postgame Live.”
“When your head coach believes in you and gives you that confidence to let it fly, go out there and play without pressure, it feels good,” Wiggins said. “It feels good. And I’ve been working on it a lot this summer, trying to get back to what I know I can do.”
Wiggins struggled during the 2023-24 season, averaging a career-low 13.2 points per game in 71 games.
But with Klay Thompson no longer on the roster, Wiggins will be counted on to take over as the Warriors look to return to the NBA playoffs.
“Wiggs was great,” Kerr told reporters after the game. “And this is pretty much what we expect this year, honestly. Peace of mind. Great form. In the prime of his career. I think Wiggs is primed to have a great season.”
Wiggins, who missed time during training camp and didn’t play in the first few preseason games, was 4 of 7 from 3-point range in the win, and that number of attempts is just what Kerr wants.
“I think I said six or seven threes a couple of weeks ago,” Kerr said. “He shot seven of them tonight. But he attacked the rim. He made some layups in transition. That’s what we love about Wiggs, his ability to score at different spots on the floor.”
“That’s what we love about Wiggins, his ability to score from different spots on the court.”
Kerr comments on Wiggs’ versatility as a goalscorer pic.twitter.com/PvcB6zpch9
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) October 24, 2024
The Warriors weren’t sure which version of Wiggins they would get entering the season, but in the first game of the 2024-25 season, they have what they need.