Andrew Wiggins nearing return to Warriors

SAN FRANCISCO — The Warriors starting lineup is set to get a boost in the coming days.

After missing 10 straight games, Andrew Wiggins finally received a thumbs up from the Warriors medical staff for his return from a strained thigh muscle.

Wiggins was cleared to play as soon as Wednesday’s contest against the Utah Jazz, according to Steve Kerr. That would’ve been a much-needed addition for the Warriors playing on the second night of a back-to-back, which means they’ll likely be without Klay Thompson.

But Wiggins’ return will have to be held off for a little longer.

Wiggins is staying home for at least the next two games after he fell sick Monday, Kerr said.

“We were targeting tomorrow and that was likely to happen,” Kerr said, “but he came down ill yesterday.”

Wiggins is the latest Warriors player to catch a bug that seems to be going around the team as of late. Donte DiVincenzo missed Golden State’s two games in New York last week as he dealt with a head cold. Assistant coach Jama Mahlalela was also not on the bench for those games. Meanwhile, JaMychal Green remained in health and safety protocols.

Even though the Warriors will have to wait a little longer for their All-Star wing to return, he’ll be a welcome presence to a starting lineup that has been hit hard by injuries this month. Golden State will be without Stephen Curry indefinitely after he partially dislocated his left shoulder in a game two weeks ago. And Draymond Green has been playing through soreness in his right foot.

Though he was initially listed as probable, Green was cleared to play Tuesday night. Kerr brushed off the severity of Green’s foot soreness which stems from a soft tissue injury that started bothering him during the Warriors’ long road trip earlier this month.

“It’s not anything that should keep him out unless the pain is bothering him,” Kerr said. “Went through shootaround today, so just normal bumps and bruises of the season.”

Wiggins averaged 19.1 points while shooting at career-best clips from the field (51.1%) and deep (45%) through 22 games. He had his best offensive showing of the season Dec. 4, tallying 36 points on 14 of 19 shooting, going 8-for-10 from 3-point land.

But just as he said his 3-point shot never felt better, Wiggins landed on the team’s injury report and hasn’t played in a game since. The Warriors were cautious not to rush him back too quickly, noting groin injuries can be easily re-injured if not fully healed which would cause him to miss even more time.

Golden State is 3-9 without Wiggins this season entering Tuesday.