Andrew Wiggins is practicing but will sit out the Warriors vs. Kings preseason game – NBC Sports Bay Area & California

SAN FRANCISCO – Andrew Wiggins took the next step toward getting back into action on Tuesday after missing all of training camp in Hawaii and the Warriors’ season opener due to illness.

On Monday, Wiggins completed all of his practice outside of live replays. Wiggins sniffed about his media availability on Tuesday and had to pause at one point to cough a few times. He said he was able to fully practice everything the Warriors did a day before their preseason game against the Sacramento Kings at the Golden 1 Center.

“I’m feeling better, a lot better than before,” Wiggins said.

Wiggins will not play on Wednesday as he remains fully healthy and is logging more practice time after a week off. The Warriors play at home against the Kings on Friday and again at Chase Center on Sunday against the Detroit Pistons.

It remains unclear whether Wiggins will be able to play in any of those games, although Kerr has already said he will be released before the regular-season opener on Oct. 23 in Portland.

“Not yet,” Wiggins said. “I just rely on the training staff and everyone else to come with me when they think I’m ready.”

Admittedly, Wiggins was disappointed that he had to miss all four days of practice in Hawaii as well as Saturday’s win against the LA Clippers. While other players were enjoying the beach and spending time with their families on the North Shore, Wiggins was doing everything he could to get over his cold.

He also did everything he could to make sure he didn’t fall behind during the important days when Kerr and his coaching staff brought new terminology and installations to an offense that is expected to see some improvement.

Kerr, in Hawaii, said he wasn’t worried about Wiggins in that regard. Wiggins, who was seen wearing a mask and shooting free throws during training camp practice and also sat on the bench with a mask on during the game, also doesn’t seem worried.

“We still have some time before the regular season starts and I’m back at practice now going through everything,” Wiggins said. “We have a great coaching team. They’re great teachers and I’m just trying to learn and figure things out.

“I watched a lot from the sidelines in Hawaii. It wasn’t like I was left behind or anything. Of course it’s easier if you’re there at practice and making up the mix than watching from the sidelines, but I had a good view.”

During Tuesday’s media-open practice session, Wiggins completed 1-on-1 drills at various locations on the field as part of a group led by coaches Jacob Rubin and Jerry Stackhouse. Players included Wiggins, Gary Payton II, Moses Moody, Kyle Anderson and Kevon Looney. The atmosphere was good, as were the competitive juices.

Payton got the better of his teammates defensively on most occasions, including denying Wiggins in the post on two consecutive possessions. What may have been Payton’s first basket was three quick Wiggins at the top of the arc.

Andrew Wiggins just hit a 3 against Gary Payton II and is nervous by Jacob Rubin’s pass, lol.

Rare basket scored in GP2 pic.twitter.com/5OFhk1Gze0

— Dalton Johnson (@DaltonJ_Johnson) October 8, 2024

For the second year in a row, GP2 has defeated Andrew Wiggins pic.twitter.com/SmzNEesQ05

— Dalton Johnson (@DaltonJ_Johnson) October 8, 2024

“Iron sharpens iron, and we’re just here to make each other better,” Wiggins said.

The intensity of Stackhouse, a two-time NBA All-Star in his 18-year playing career, has already been felt by everyone. Stackhouse, 49, even took part in the exercise a few times. When he wasn’t in the action, he could be heard barking, “This is a battle!” as he applauded the hard-nosed game.

Jerry Stackhouse is still doing exercises too pic.twitter.com/yNMy3mTgjJ

— Dalton Johnson (@DaltonJ_Johnson) October 8, 2024

“He’s a very competitive guy,” Wiggins said. “He believes he can still go out and play basketball with us, which he did a little bit in the 1s. It’s great to have him with you. A great addition and he brings a lot of fuel to what we have set out to do.”

Preseason play will have to wait at least a few more days. Meanwhile, Wiggins takes part in training and continues to progress while clearly still battling a nagging cold.

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast