Warriors hopeful Andrew Wiggins returns this season

Golden State Warriors star forward Andrew Wiggins has missed the past 20 games due to a personal issue. Typically, absences of this ilk are explained with details about what a player is going through.

That has not been the case for the tight-lipped defending champions. We still have no idea why the All-Star forward has been sidelined since last suiting up Feb. 13 against the Washington Wizards.

What we do know is that Golden State needs his two-way ability on the court if the team is going to repeat as NBA champion. While that plays second fiddle to what Wiggins is dealing with off the court, it’s been a central focus as the NBA regular season draws to a conclusion.

Following the Warriors’ thrilling comeback win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday, star guard Stephen Curry addressed the Wiggins situation. He remains hopeful that the former No. 1 pick will be able to return before the end of the season.

“We’d love to have him and hope that that does happen, because we want to be whole and I’m sure he wants to be a part of this," Curry said, via ESPN. "But when he walks in the door, it’ll be when it’s the right time for him. That’s kind of the expectation at this point.”

By virtue of the Warriors’ win over New Orleans on Tuesday, they are currently sixth in the Western Conference with a 40-37 record. However, Golden State is just a half game up on the Minnesota Timberwolves in an attempt to avoid the play-in tournament. It also loses the tiebreaker against Minnesota after blowing a late lead Sunday evening.