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Steph Curry and Andrew Wiggins continue to find themselves on the sidelines. With the Golden State Warriors struggling, the team patiently awaits the return of their key pieces.
The Warriors came into the 2022-23 season eager to defend their crown as NBA champions. With the majority of their roster intact, it looked like the Warriors would be one of the top teams in the Western Conference. However, it's been just the opposite for Golden State (15-18).
The team has been an atrocious 3-16 on the road, and injuries have started to pile up. Golden State has been without versatile wing Andrew Wiggins since Dec. 3 with what is described as an "adductor" issue. Superstar guard Steph Curry is also sidelined. Curry is expected to miss a few weeks with a left shoulder injury.
Golden State, 2-7 in its last nine games, has lost its last two games in convincing fashion. Their most recent was a 143-113 loss on Wednesday night to the Brooklyn Nets.
General manager Bob Myers spoke about the importance of both Wiggins and Curry being out:
"I think it is impossible without those guys, but we saw a decent chunk with them, and I can't say why he went out early and lost some games those guys were finishing. ... Sometimes, in close games, they even out at the end of the year.
"We didn't play well in the clutch. I don't know what that is. In a playoff series, I would trust those guys to finish it out. There's no reason they wouldn't, but it just didn't go that way. Then, you try and evaluate, what does that mean? And then you have injuries, and it does cloud the whole thing up as far as what are you?"
Golden State Warriors look to bounce back without Steph Curry and Andrew Wiggins
The Golden State Warriors got off to a slow start in the 2022-23 season. The team found itself 3-7 after the first 10 games.
Many expected that the Warriors were simply just shaking off the rust, preparing for them to go on a lengthy run. Instead, the Warriors continued to be inconsistent.
Now, with both Andrew Wiggins and Steph Curry on the sidelines, the Warriors are struggling to pick up wins. Golden State has always thrived over the years with its offensive production. What has made them so dominant is their ability defensively as well.
The offense hasn't been a problem for the Warriors this season. They are ranked fifth in the NBA in scoring average. What has been the Achilles heel for the team is their defense. Golden State currently ranks 25th in the NBA in defensive ratings.
