Warriors' Stephen Curry doesn't sound too pleased about Andrew Wiggins' vaccination standing

Ninety p.c of NBA gamers have been vaccinated towards COVID-19, however Warriors ahead Andrew Wiggins is not a part of that group.

On Monday, Wiggins spoke publicly for the primary time since being denied a request for a spiritual exemption from COVID-19 vaccination. Even if he will not have the ability to play in residence video games till he complies with San Francisco well being tips, the 26-year-old is not backing down from his stance.

MORE: Kyrie Irving addresses uncertainty round vaccination standing

“It is not uncomfortable. I am assured in my beliefs, what I believe is correct, and what I believe is flawed,” Wiggins mentioned at Golden State’s media day. “I am simply gonna hold doing what I imagine, whether or not it is one factor or one other, simply gonna hold doing it.”

Wiggins informed reporters that he has gotten nothing however “love and help” from his teammates, however the Warriors’ most essential participant certain appears like he is pissed off with Wiggins’ refusal to get vaccinated.

“On the finish of the day, it’s as much as him. I believe it is no secret to that time,” Golden State star Stephen Curry mentioned. “We clearly hope that he has all the best data, the entry to the best assets to ask all of the questions he has on making that call. We hope he is accessible. We hope he strikes in the best path. My opinion is, clearly I received [vaccinated] and am able to be accessible and following the mandates and whatnot. However that is type of the place it’s, and within the subsequent coming weeks and the way it all performs out is gonna be fully as much as him.

“We clearly hope he is accessible and with us and type of go from there. It is tough. All people’s in a tough type of place in that respect, and we have all made selections that you just really feel like are best for you and your loved ones and regardless of the case is. That is no totally different, and whether or not you agree with him or not, you need to let it play out.”

When requested if he would think about it “acceptable” to not have a starter accessible for half of the 2021-22 common season, Curry provided a really telling reply.

“Acceptable is a powerful phrase,” Curry mentioned. “It is not ideally suited, however I do not assume anybody anticipated to be requested that query on one thing that is a voluntary choice, I suppose, in a way. We’ll see. We hope not. We hope we’ve a full staff for all the yr and perceive that on all accounts, what analysis says and issues like that, that it is protected and we’re all in the identical boat.

“We hope he is accessible, and if not, we modify accordingly.”

Curry was diplomatic in his response, nevertheless it was straightforward to see the exasperation on his face. The details about vaccination has been accessible to NBA gamers for months, and the Warriors reportedly even went as far as to join Wiggins with an Oakland physician to focus on his hesitancy in getting the vaccine. After a dialog with the physician, he was nonetheless “unmoved in his choice towards vaccination,” per the San Francisco Chronicle’s Rusty Simmons.

The 2-time NBA MVP could perceive the private nature of the choice, however he additionally sees how a lot Wiggins’ absence would harm Golden State. In 71 video games final season, Wiggins averaged 18.6 factors whereas capturing a career-high 47.7 p.c from the sphere and 38.0 p.c from 3-point vary. With Klay Thompson’s actual return date unclear for the time being, the Warriors want Wiggins to take among the offensive burden off Curry’s shoulders.

Till he will get vaccinated, although, Wiggins will not have the ability to assist Curry in any respect contained in the Chase Heart.

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