Preview: Warriors face Celtics in Chase Center without Draymond

Will Andrew Wiggins step up and have another big day against Boston?

The Golden State Warriors faced the defending champions Celtics back in November and stunned them in Boston to move to 7-1 on the season. At that point, championship expectations were starting to look like something more than a fantasy for the Dubs. Two months later, the Dubs are scuffling at 21-20, and their championship dreams are looking very hazy.

Meanwhile the Celtics are 29-13, second in their conference, looking very much like a repeat champion in the making. But on this Martin Luther King Jr. day, Dub Nation can dream that the Warriors can look like worldbeaters one more time. And to do that, it’s gonna take a strong performance from their wing Andrew Wiggins.

Golden State Warriors vs Boston Celtics

When: January 20th, 2024 | 2:00 PM PT

TV: NBC Sports Bay Area

Radio: 95.7 The Game

Wiggins’ transformation into the best version of himself during the 2022 NBA Finals against the Celtics was nothing short of remarkable. After years of being tagged with the “potential” label but never quite meeting the sky-high expectations as a former No. 1 pick, Wiggins found his perfect fit with the Golden State Warriors, culminating in a career-defining performance on the league’s biggest stage.

Going up against the All-NBA duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, Wiggins showed why he was far more than a scorer. He became a two-way force, a player who thrived in the Warriors’ system while amplifying his individual strengths. Defensively, Wiggins was relentless.

He took on the primary assignment of guarding Tatum, a superstar capable of torching the league’s best defenders, and held him to an inefficient series. Wiggins’ combination of length, lateral quickness, and defensive IQ disrupted Tatum’s rhythm, forcing him into contested jumpers and turnovers. It wasn’t just about one-on-one stops; Wiggins rotated seamlessly within Golden State’s intricate defensive schemes, showing the kind of commitment and attention to detail that had previously been questioned.

Offensively, Wiggins’ contributions were just as vital. He attacked the glass with ferocity, averaging 8.8 rebounds per game in the Finals, including a monstrous 16-rebound outing in Game 4 that swung momentum in Golden State’s favor. His rebounding wasn’t just about stats; it was about creating second-chance opportunities and preventing Boston’s bigs from controlling the paint.

Wiggins also delivered timely scoring, slashing to the rim, finishing in transition, and stepping into midrange jumpers with confidence. The Warriors didn’t need him to be their primary scorer—they had Stephen Curry for that—but Wiggins filled the gaps perfectly, providing the secondary scoring punch and energy plays that championship teams require.

Looking ahead, the Warriors’ hopes of staying competitive in a loaded Western Conference rest heavily on Wiggins maintaining this level of play. With Curry still the engine but aging, Wiggins’ ability to take on top defensive assignments and contribute as a reliable two-way presence is paramount. His Finals performance was proof that he’s no longer just a talented enigma but a player capable of thriving under the brightest lights. For Golden State to contend for another title, they’ll need this version of Wiggins: the one who outworked and outshined All-NBA talents when it mattered most.