The Golden State Warriors have won against the Detroit Pistons, ending their opponents' winning streak and bouncing back from a slump. This victory was crucial for the Warriors, as they desperately needed a win. Although they only won by a margin of three points, the team still managed to find some bright spots. What are the key takeaways from this game for the Warriors? After their victory, Coach Steve Kerr confirmed that Andrew Wiggins will not play in the next game, while Stephen Curry's status remains uncertain, and Santos is not hiding his potential.
Everyone knows that Coach Kerr made some lineup adjustments for this game due to several player injuries. Kuminga, for example, will not be returning anytime soon. As for Wiggins, he did not participate in the game against the Pistons due to personal reasons. With Wiggins and others out, Kerr had no choice but to adjust the lineup, which turned out to be quite effective. This also confirms that Hield needs to play alongside Curry to maximize his value.
Regarding the next game, will Wiggins return to the court? Kerr has officially confirmed that Wiggins will continue to miss the game against the Pacers. If that's the case, Hield can start again, depending on whether Kerr decides to make further adjustments. This season, everyone is aware of Wiggins' value; he averages 16.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists with a shooting percentage of 45.4%, nearing the level of his championship-winning season.
It's important to note that the next game is a back-to-back against last season's Eastern Conference finalist, the Indiana Pacers. Will Curry play? His participation is currently undecided, considering Curry is an older player with existing injuries. Previously, Curry chose to sit out one game during back-to-back matchups as part of the strategy. However, there are variables at play, and whether he plays or not will depend on Kerr's final confirmation and the coaching staff's decision.
The X-factor in this game was undoubtedly Santos. After receiving playing time, the young player seized the opportunity to showcase his skills. He attempted six shots, making four, all of which were three-pointers, scoring 13 points along with five rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Santos proved to be versatile, actively grabbing rebounds, with three of his five rebounds being offensive. Everyone could see his impressive performance.
After the game, Santos did not hold back, openly stating that his teammates trust him and the whole team is cheering. When Wiggins is not playing, Santos believes he should be in the rotation. It's clear that the young player has capitalized on his opportunity, much like Waters before him. We'll have to see if Kerr continues to rely on him in upcoming games when Wiggins is absent, as the young player has proven to be a valuable asset.