Warriors fans have been waiting for James Wiseman’s debut, but it may not happen anytime soon. The rookie guard has a slight knee swelling that is causing him to be shut down indefinitely. Warriors coach Steve Kerr doesn’t seem optimistic about the guard coming back this season and plans on reevaluating when he returns in November which means we will likely see an uptick of Jordan Bell minutes heading into December.
The “when will James Wiseman return” is the question that many people are asking. James Wiseman has been temporarily shut down by Warriors due to knee swelling.
Credit: USA Today Sports/Cary Edmondson
James Wiseman was the second overall selection in the NBA draft class of 2020. He’s showed glimpses of his brilliance and athleticism, but he hasn’t made an instant impact for the Warriors.
James Wiseman hasn’t played for the golden state Warriors this season because he’s been mending a meniscus injury he had last season. While there was some hope that he’d be able to participate in a few games this season, it was just announced that he’s been “temporarily shut down” owing to “swelling in his right knee.” The Athletic’s Marcus Thompson II and Anthony Slater broke the news.
The last chapter of James Wiseman’s comeback to the Warriors has encountered a snag. Wiseman has been placed on the shelf for the time being due to swelling in his right knee, according to The Athletic’s sources. He hasn’t practiced with the Warriors in the last two days, and he isn’t expected to play for the Santa Cruz Warriors in their fourth G League game on Sunday.
Wiseman’s status for the remainder of the season has yet to be officially determined, but the clock is ticking. With just 12 games remaining, it was expected that Wiseman would return in time to earn some critical developmental experiences before the playoffs, especially in the four remaining back-to-backs.
That idea is getting more improbable. Last April, Wiseman underwent surgery to repair a damaged meniscus. It’s been a difficult 11-month recuperation. In December, swelling hindered his recovery and necessitated a second treatment, this time a scope to remove some loose bodies.
On February 8, Wiseman was eventually contacted. His body reacted positively. He spent the previous month in more difficult scrimmages before being allowed to play in G League games This was a significant achievement. In the last week, Wiseman has played 21, 20, and 21 minutes in three games for Santa Cruz. A fourth game has been scheduled on Sunday, with an NBA return likely shortly after.
For the time being, this has been put on hold. This is just another setback for a young athlete who has failed to launch his potential NBA career. Before the meniscus rupture, Wiseman had only played 39 games as a rookie. He’s never played in a summer league or gone to a training camp. Steve Kerr and the Warriors continue to praise Wiseman’s potential, but emphasize that he must gain playing experience before that potential can materialize. He won’t be able to accelerate his development unless he’s on the court on a regular basis.
While the Golden State Warriors are renowned for their small-ball style of play, their lack of size and rebounding has been evident at times this season. They may have benefited from James Wiseman’s presence, but they’ll have to make do with Kevon Looney as the only real center on the roster.
Some say James Wiseman has the potential to become an All-Star for the Warriors, but he must first stay healthy and play NBA basketball. Hopefully, James Wiseman will reach his full potential and return to full health in the future.
The “draymond green injury ” is a topic that has been trending since the Warriors’ game against the Cavaliers on January 22nd. James Wiseman, a rookie for the Warriors, was forced to leave the game after suffering from knee swelling.
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