Wiseman cleared to play 2 games with Santa Cruz Warriors as NBA return nears
Wiseman hasn't played an NBA game in nearly 11 months but this appears to be one of the last steps before he returns to play for the Warriors.
SAN FRANCISCO — James Wiseman’s return hit a significant milestone on Tuesday with clearance to participate in two G League games this week.
Wiseman will play a pair of games with Golden State’s G League affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors, first on the road Thursday against the Stockton Kings and again on Sunday at Chase Center against the G League Ignite.
While the G League assignment indicates a return to NBA action is near, the team has not announced an official return date for their second overall pick. Following a scrimmage at practice last week in Dallas, head coach Steve Kerr said Wiseman is healthy and that his conditioning and movement were “all really coming around.”
The Warriors’ lack of size stands out as a contributing factor to their five-game losing streak — something their 7-foot-1 center could help fix, in theory. But Kerr has been eager to temper expectations around Wiseman’s contributions upon his return.
“What I will always keep circling back to is this guy needs reps, he needs 1,000 reps, he needs a summer league, he needs a training camp,” Kerr said last Wednesday. “So, let’s temper the expectations but be excited about his future because as he gets those reps, he’s got the potential to be a tremendous player.”
Wiseman had a rocky rookie campaign, his growing pains showing during the 39 games played before tearing his meniscus on April 15, 2021. With the Warriors falling backwards into a playoff berth with less than 20 games to play, the team can’t afford too many mistakes down the stretch.
The 20-year-old is nearing 11 months since undergoing surgery to repair the right knee injury. Projected initially to be ready for training camp, Wiseman experienced setbacks and a prolonged rehab that’s kept him out of NBA action for 65 games this season.
In December, Wiseman underwent a second procedure to reduce swelling on his knee. Wiseman participated in contact practice for the first time on Feb. 8 and has been participating in five-on-five scrimmages since Feb. 15.
Wiseman could have a cushier debut with Draymond Green expected to return soon. Green has been out since Jan. 9 with a back injury, but announced Monday on his podcast that he plans to play on March 14 against the Wizards at Chase Center.
The Warriors entered Tuesday’s games with a 14-13 record without Green. They’ve lost four in a row and nine of their last 11 games, having slipped into the third seed in the Western Conference, a half-game back of the Memphis Grizzlies with the Jazz, Mavericks and Nuggets all within striking distance.