Report: Andrew Wiggins Remains Unvaccinated, Putting Status in Question

The Warriors wing might not be available to play in home games at the start of the season due to a local requirement.

Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins has so far decided against getting the COVID-19 vaccine, creating uncertainty if he will be available for home games by the start of the season, according to Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle.

The NBA is not requiring players to be vaccinated, but if a local jurisdiction requires proof of vaccination to enter an arena, then a player would need an exemption of some kind. The city of San Francisco announced in late August it would required proof of vaccination for large indoor events. 

New York City, home to the Knicks and Nets, has a similar vaccine requirement in place.

The Chronicle reports that NBA could grant Wiggins a religious exemption, but that it's possible per the city would override it. The Warriors declined to comment on Wiggins's vaccination status to ESPN, citing player privacy restrictions.

On March 22, Wiggins said publicly he would not be getting the vaccine. 

"To each his own, really. Whoever wants to get it, can get it; whoever doesn't want to get it, don't get it," Wiggins said. "Right now, I'm not getting it, but it's no knock on anyone else that's getting it. I make my own decisions. But right now, I decided not to get it."

He added he was seeking to get more information. Per the Chronicle, the team connected Wiggins with an Oakland doctor who understands issues of vaccine hesitancy. 

Wiggins is entering his second full season with the Warriors, after coming to the franchise in a mid-season trade during the 2019-20 campaign. Last year, he started 71 games, averaging 18.6 points and 4.9 rebounds on 47.7% shooting from the field.