James Wiseman has been cleared to play in the Warriors’ G League affiliate next two games, the team announced Tuesday.
Wiseman is recovering from a meniscus tear. He was projected to have a 9-month recovery process before being able to take the floor.
He played 39 games in his rookie season, before the Warriors shut him down due to the meniscus injury.
James Wiseman update: pic.twitter.com/lTn2nXqCRY
— Warriors PR (@WarriorsPR) March 8, 2022
After he suffered a setback in September that required additional operation, the timetable was pushed back his return.
He returned to basketball activities in January. While there has not been a final date for his return, playing in the G League is a good sign for the sophomore center.
“Well, he’s been scrimmaging with the team here the last few weeks and the next logical step is live-action in the G League,” Kerr told reporters.
“I don’t know of any other options other than to put him into one of our games and we feel like it makes a lot more sense for him to get some action and play a lot and get a lot of rhythm and conditioning before he plays for us.”
According to ESPN, it’s highly unlikely that Wiseman will crack the Warriors’ rotation at this point of the season.
Wiseman struggled in his first NBA season, after getting drafted second overall in the 2020 NBA Draft.
The dynamic center will make his first appearance this season with Santa Cruz on Thursday vs the Stockton Kings. He then will be available to play again Sunday against the G League Ignite at Chase Center.
