Tuesday not only marks the first time that Jimmy Butler will face the Miami Heat since the team traded him to the Golden State Warriors, but the first time the Warriors will see Andrew Wiggins since trading him to Miami so they could acquire Butler.
Wiggins, a former No. 1 pick in the draft, was a key starter on the Warriors for five years. He played an especially important role in the Warriors NBA championship win over the Boston Celtics in 2022. During that series, Wiggins helped guard Celtics' star Jayson Tatum, led the Warriors in rebounds, blocks, and finished second on the team in scoring.
Ahead of Tuesday's game, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said on 95.7 The Game that he "can't wait" to see Wiggins again. “We can’t wait to see him (Wiggins) tomorrow and hopefully he doesn’t give us 42 (points), but I root for that guy and I will for the rest of his career… Everybody loves Wiggs. Just an incredible human being and we miss him around here."
ICYMI: Wiggins reunion tonight 🥹
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) March 25, 2025
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“Wiggs is one of my favorite guys," Kerr also said in the lead-up to the game, via NBC Sports Bay Area. "I wish we still had Miami in the Bay, so that will have to wait until next year. Wiggs will get an enormous standing ovation when he returns to the Bay in front of our fans, both for his contributions and just for his humanity—who he is, what kind of person he is. He's beloved in our locker room and throughout the Bay.
Wiggins expressed similar positive sentiments toward reuniting with Kerr and the Warriors.
“It’ll be good to see those guys,” Wiggins said, via NBC Sports Bay Area. “It’s all love. I love those guys. I had a great time over there. Great people, great organization. Obviously we have a competitive game to play, but I’m looking forward to it.”
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Steve Kerr Shares Thoughts on Facing Andrew Wiggins for First Time Since Trade to Heat.
