Andrew Wiggins: 'Don't think it will be long' before return

SAN FRANCISCO — As Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins returns to his team after a 51-day absence, he hopes his return to the basketball court will follow soon after.

«I don't think it will be too long before I am out there,» Wiggins said in his first time speaking to reporters since leaving the team on Feb. 13.

Wiggins missed 22 games during his time away from the team as he dealt with a family matter involving an ill family member. He declined to comment on the specifics of the situation.

«I'd rather keep it private,» he said. «It's for me and my family and people close to family.»

Wiggins worked with a personal trainer, making sure he got shots up and weightlifted in his spare time, but he appeared especially lean in his news conference.

Before he is cleared to return to play he will be reassessed by the Warriors' VP of Player Health and Performance Rick Celebrini. Wiggins got work in on Tuesday with Celebrini, as well as on-court work with assistant coach Jama Mahlalela. However, Warriors coach Steve Kerr says it will be a few more days until the team has a clear timeline on Wiggins' status.

«We'll have a better idea in the next couple of days,» Kerr said. «There's no way he's playing in the next few days, I can tell you that. But I think once we have an assessment over the next couple of days, we'll have a better idea of when he might be able to play.»

Kerr's statement all but rules Wiggins out for Friday's game in Sacramento, but possibly could allow him to play Sunday in Portland for the Warriors' regular-season finale.

Before Wiggins stepped away from the team, he was playing some of his best basketball of the season. In the four games leading up to his absence, Wiggins was averaging 19.3 points per game