OKC Thunder: Aaron Wiggins 'Plays His Role Perfectly,' Could Provide Big Playoff Impact

Aaron Wiggins is the ideal role player and his versatility will be a big key for the Thunder in the playoffs.

Apr 7, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins (21) cuts / Scott Kinser-USA TODAY Sports

Aaron Wiggin stepped into a big role on Sunday, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a victory over the Charlotte Hornets. In the 121-118 victory, Wiggins played 36 minutes as a starter, scoring 26 points on 11-of-20 shooting.

While the scoring was a big help to the Thunder, he provided more than just points to the team. He added five assists and six steals. This is on par with what he's done for the Thunder this season, and all of his NBA career in Oklahoma City, really.

Thunder guard Josh Giddey took note to Wiggins' performance on Sunday after the victory.

“He plays his role perfectly every night. He knows when he needs to score, when he needs to defend, rebound, do those type of things. Tonight he took on a heavy load in scoring and he did a great job," Giddey said of Wiggins.

Wiggins really did save basketball. Well, saved the Thunder from extending their longest losing streak of the season.

Whatever is needed from Wiggins in any given basketball game, he provides. This is nothing new for Wiggins, who worked his way from a two-way player into a standard NBA contract.

Now in his third season in the NBA, it's always a big question mark when the 25-year-old isn't in the rotation. At this point, he plays winning basketball any time he's given minutes. Logging 36 minutes on Sunday, he proved just that. While his performance was key in the absence of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, Wiggins has continually proved that he should remain in the rotation consistently when they return.

Providing a little bit of everything all the time on the court, Wiggins is going to be the perfect bench player when the Thunder hosts a playoff series two weeks from now. There's nothing he can't provide, making him a perfect player to combat playoff adjustments and play postseason basketball.

Watching what head coach Mark Daigneault will do with Wiggins in the postseason will be interesting, especially given the random DNPs he's received throughout the season.

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