Here's How Andrew Wiggins Could Play Through Rib Injury in Game 6

Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins is questionable for a must-win Game 6 with a rib injury he suffered in the closing minutes of Wednesday’s Game 5 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Wiggins will require a pain-numbing rib block injection to play through the issue, according to the Pro Basketball Docs at Sports Injury Central. Cartilage fractures are more painful than rib bone fractures.
The 28-year-old Wiggins showed discomfort with his injured rib area several times late in the win.
Andrew Wiggins appeared to first show rib discomfort after this box out crack of LeBron James in the middle of the fourth quarter. Kept grabbing at his ribs the next few minutes. Costal cartilage fracture. His Game 6 status is in question.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 12, 2023
Here is a look. pic.twitter.com/9CDwETFvrJ
Without the pain-numbing injection, the issue will be extremely difficult to play through and will limit his effectiveness.
Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton appeared to suffer a similar injury in Game 5 of the series against Denver. Ayton and the team did not opt for a pain-numbing injection and he missed Game 6.
Whether Wiggins and the Warriors will opt for the pain-numbing injection is the situation to watch ahead of Game 6 in Los Angeles.
Team doctors don’t go on the road during the regular season, but they do during the playoffs, meaning Golden State will be equipped to administer the injection for Wiggins.
The former No. 1 overall draft pick is averaging 17.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 12 postseason games this year. He’s shot 46.8% from the field and 31.1% from 3-point range.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis is another situation to watch, but he appears on track to play despite exiting Game 5 after an elbow to the side of his head from Kevon Looney.
The Warriors are 2.5-point underdogs in Los Angeles for Game 6 and the over/under is 221, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
The Lakers are -225 to win the series, while Golden State is +188. Odds subject to change.
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