NBA
Golden State Warriors' Andrew Wiggins has been vaccinated
After initially refusing and even applying for a religious exemption, The former number 1 pick changed his stance.
After a firm response to journalists and an application for a religious exemption, the Andrew Wiggins vaccination saga comes to an end.
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr speaks on Andrew Wiggins
Shooting guard Andrew Wiggins of the Golden State Warriors has received a COVID-19 vaccination and will subsequently be available to play in home games. Head coach Steve Kerr commented on the situation after the Warriors' Sunday training session."Andrew got vaccinated," Kerr said. "He just told me today that he was fine with us acknowledging it and that will be the end of it. I'm not going to answer any questions beyond that."
Why was Wiggins' vaccination status a big deal?
Wiggins' vaccination status drew attention when, in answer to questions regarding San Francisco's vaccination mandate and its effect on NBA player's salaries, he told reporters it was his issue to deal with and not theirs. "It's my problem," he said. "Not yours."
To add further context to the situation it was also understood that Wiggins applied to the NBA for an exemption on religious grounds, only to see it denied. There were no further details given as to what specific vaccine Wiggins received, however, it is widely believed to be a Johnson & Johnson shot as it requires only one dose. It is the shot that the Warriors have utilized across their establishment as understandably it removes the need to wait for a second dose.
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San Francisco sets a deadline for mandate
The San Francisco Dept. of Public Health has declared a deadline of October 13th for total vaccination of staff in local businesses. Assuming Wiggins has in fact got his one dose vaccine he could in reality face the La Clippers in the opening game of the season at home on October 21st.
Steve Kerr wants to move forward
Kerr was quick to draw a close to the situation when asked, "I'm not answering any of those questions," Kerr said, after noting that Warriors players and coaches are all 100% vaccinated. "We're done. It's happened. That's all anybody needs to know. We can talk about practice or games."
As he prepares to play the Portland trail Kerr was hopeful that his starters - Wiggins, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green - would all play. While non committal about time on the court for each, he expected 20.