Miami Heat swingman Andrew Wiggins received a huge ovation in his return to Chase Center during their 135-112 loss against the Golden State Warriors on Monday night.
Yesterday marked Wiggins’ first game back in the Bay Area since he was traded to the Miami Heat in exchange for Jimmy Butler. The one-time NBA champion fared well, notching 18 points and five rebounds on 6-for-14 shooting from the field in the losing effort.
“It was a great tribute,” Wiggins said via the Miami Herald. “Definitely meant a lot to see all the love in the building, all the excitement, all the old faces, everything that comes with it. But it was great. It was a moment I’ll cherish. You don’t get too many of these.”
“We know it’s important to him. He had some great moments here, particularly during that championship run. And he’ll be received great, as he should, here in this building. So we’re just grateful that we have him,” head coach Erik Spoelstra added. “He’s been doing so much for us on both ends of the court. I think as a complete game and all the responsibilities, you can make a case, this is the best that he’s played in his career because of all those responsibilities he has for us.”
Miami Heat News: Davion Mitchell and Jaime Jaquez Jr. return from injury, while Tyler Herro remains sidelined
The Miami Heat welcomed back Davion Mitchell (shoulder) and Jaime Jaquez Jr. (knee) against the Golden State Warriors last night. Mitchell contributed seven points, six rebounds, three assists, and three steals, while Jaquez had 10 points, five rebounds, and nine assists on 4-for-12 shooting off the bench.
“Just a lot of work in the weight room, trying to get that range of motion back,” Mitchell said of working his way back. “Especially the first couple days, I couldn’t really raise my arm. So I had to get that strengthening back and that feeling back, but I feel a lot better.”
Meanwhile, Tyler Herro didn’t travel with the team due to a rib injury. The Miami Heat star has missed 32 of their 43 regular season games this season.
