Aaron Wiggins Explains What Goes Into a Late Start Time: 'It Means a Longer Nap for Me'

Throughout this season, the Thunder have struggled with unusual tip times, though they have all been moving the schedule forward, starting games in the afternoon, where Oklahoma City is just 1-3. 

On Tuesday, the OKC Thunder will host the Houston Rockets at a 9:00 p.m. local start time. While this differs from the usual 7:00 p.m. tip time, Thunder forward Aaron Wiggins explained how it is easier to manage than an afternoon start. 

"I think there is a certain approach to the routine; coming into the league, a lot of guys find a routine consistently...you have to have your routine regardless of game time. Late game tonight, so a longer nap for me, but most guys will kind of have a similar routine, [the guys] might have an hour or two to figure out what they are going to do. I do not think too much will change, especially with a later game time. Maybe earlier game time, you have to plan and find a different routine, but it comes with the game, Wiggins said at shoot around. "You have to be able to adapt." 

This has been a wildly discussed topic around the Thunder, as rookie center Chet Holmgren explained following an afternoon loss earlier this season: “Shoot around time, film time, might be different, or might not have shoot around. That is no excuse, we have to have the same preparation and mindset coming into every game, no matter what time it is."

The late start is surely easier to adjust to than speeding up your process for an afternoon tip; as Wiggins points out, if nothing else, it calls for a longer nap. However, at shoot around the Maryland product was again seen wearing a number 23 practice jersey in honor of his former teammate, Tre Mann. 

“He had a big impact on the togetherness of our team. Something that won’t be forgotten.” Wiggins said when asked about wearing the number, the Swiss army knife forward told the assembled media it is an "everyday thing" at practice to show appreciation to the now Hornets guard. 

Wiggins and Mann specifically grew extremely close, working out pregame together before each contest, joking with assistant coaches, and keeping the vibes high each night.