Andrew Wiggins Hyped as 'Future Warrior Legend' in Warriors' Game 5 Win vs. Celtics

Timothy Rapp @@TRappaRTFeatured Columnist IVJune 14, 2022

Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) shoots against Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) and forward Jayson Tatum (0) during the first half of Game 5 of basketball's NBA Finals in San Francisco, Monday, June 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn

For the first four games of the NBA Finals, Stephen Curry did the heavy lifting for the Golden State Warriors. The question for the Dubs was who might step up if Curry had an off night.

And the answer, resoundingly, was Andrew Wiggins.

The man nicknamed Maple Jordan was awesome Monday night, scoring 26 points and adding 13 boards in Golden State's 104-94 win over the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. The Warriors took a 3-2 lead in the series.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
ANDREW WIGGINS. GOODNIGHT. (via <a href="https://twitter.com/warriors?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@warriors</a>)<a href="https://t.co/sp6l1pDWrJ">pic.twitter.com/sp6l1pDWrJ</a>

NBA @NBA
Andrew Wiggins glides to the rim for the finish! Q4 action on ABC <a href="https://t.co/VSpYtJ3L1T">pic.twitter.com/VSpYtJ3L1T</a>

NBA @NBA
Andrew Wiggins led the <a href="https://twitter.com/warriors?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@warriors</a> to the 1st half lead with 16 points! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DubNation?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DubNation</a> 🏀 16 PTS | 7 REB 2nd half coming up next on ABC <a href="https://t.co/ImUlw8JL5x">pic.twitter.com/ImUlw8JL5x</a>

Wiggins was justifiably the toast of NBA Twitter after the win:

kuz @kylekuzma
Andrew Wiggins future warrior legend

Sarah Spain @SarahSpain
The Wiggins Game

Vincent Bonsignore @VinnyBonsignore
Wiggins saving the day

Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Back-to-back monster games by Wiggins.

Shea Serrano @SheaSerrano
andrew wiggins really woke up this morning and said “i’m gonna go be the best player in a finals game tonight”

Jeff Goodman @GoodmanHoops
There was never, ever any question about Andrew Wiggins’ ability. Best thing for Wiggs wasn’t just getting out of Minnesota; was getting dealt to Golden State and being around guys like Steph, Draymond and Klay.

Ros Gold-Onwude @ROSGO21
Good for Andrew Wiggins. Fit matters. Timing matters. Out here taking control of his own narrative & his game is speaking

Chris Herring @Herring_NBA
This Wiggins game is just massive, given the circumstances. One that'll largely be forgotten if GSW wins the title, and Steph wins MVP. But probably the one that swings the series.

Mark Phillips @SupremeDreams_1
Wiggins want all the respect man Fr 😂 he legit going crazy

Pat Forde @ByPatForde
Better late than never, Andrew Wiggins. Former No. 1 pick has been a monster last two games

Zach LaVine @ZachLaVine
Keep killing <a href="https://twitter.com/22wiggins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@22wiggins</a> 😤

Karl-Anthony Towns @KarlTowns
😤😤😤 <a href="https://t.co/CpxIAZqpU3">https://t.co/CpxIAZqpU3</a>

Curry had his first poor shooting night in this series, finishing 7-of-22 from the field for 16 points. He was 0-of-9 from the field, though he did add eight assists to just one turnover.

The Warriors won with depth—Klay Thompson had 21 points, while Jordan Poole and Gary Payton II combined to score 29 points off the bench—and consistency. The Celtics, meanwhile, killed themselves with turnovers (18) and poor free-throw shooting (21-of-31).

And while Jayson Tatum played well (27 points, 10 boards), his running mate Jaylen Brown struggled mightily (18 points on 5-of-18 shooting from the field).

Ultimately, though, this was the Wiggins game. If the Warriors go on to win the title, this performance won't soon be forgotten.

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The Dubs will have the chance to wrap things up in Boston on Thursday at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.