MY ACCOUNT
The thought of playing more than half of their games without Andrew Wiggins is “not ideal” for the Golden State Warriors, Stephen Curry said Monday.
The NBA announced Friday it had denied Wiggins’ request for an exemption from COVID-19 vaccination requirements, and the forward’s status was the prime topic of discussion at the team’s pre-season media day.
Beginning October 13, San Francisco will require vaccinations for all participants age 12 and older at large indoor events unless an exemption is granted for medical or religious reasons.
Wiggins had sought one on medical grounds, but the NBA’s denial means he will not be eligible to play in home games at Chase Center.
Golden State star Curry, who has been an outspoken advocate of vaccinations, was asked whether he believes Wiggins’ decision is acceptable as a member of a team.
“Acceptable is a strong word,” he said. “It’s not ideal. … We hope we have a full team for the entire year and understand that, on all accounts and what the research says and things like that, that [the vaccines are] safe and we’re all in the same boat.
“So we hope he’s available, and if not, we’ll adjust accordingly. But we hope not.”
Wiggins deflected numerous questions about the topic during his session with reporters Monday, repeatedly saying he was going to keep his thoughts on the matter “private”.
One reporter noted that Wiggins said last year he would get vaccinated if he had to in order to play and asked him if he felt like his back was against the wall in having to choose between his personal beliefs and being able to play.
“Back is definitely against the wall,” he said. “But just going to keep fighting for what I believe, whether it’s one thing or another, get the vaccination or not get the vaccination, who knows.
“I’m just going to keep fighting for what I believe and what I believe is right. What’s right to one person isn’t right to the other.”
While controversy swirls around Wiggins, the men at the top of the organisation expressed the hope that the situation would be resolved by the time the regular season begins on October 19.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said he has not reached the point of trying to figure out how to account for regular absences by unvaccinated players.
“I haven’t spent any time thinking about that, nor will I. We’ll just see how everything plays out. We’re hopeful that it is all resolved in the next couple of weeks but we are going into camp [Tuesday] with a plan to have everybody out on the floor and ready to roll.”
General manager Bob Myers echoed that sentiment, saying he was not interested in discussing hypotheticals and is preparing to start the season with the full team available.
“I get why people have to wonder,” he said. “But we’re going to deal in reality now and that’s what we’re doing each day.”
Wiggins played 71 games last NBA season, averaging 18.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.
