After sitting out the entire 2021/22 season in the wake of meniscus surgery, Warriors center James Wiseman will return to the court Sunday for a Summer League contest against the Spurs, tweets Anthony Slater of The Athletic.
Slater adds that Saturday’s practice was the final hurdle for Wiseman, who hasn’t participated in an NBA game since April of 2021. Wiseman played in three G League contests in March, but he was shut down again after experiencing swelling in his knee.
Wiseman is thrilled to be able to return, telling Madeline Kenney of The East Bay Times, “I cannot wait to go out there and just play the game of basketball again.”
The Warriors have been preparing Wiseman for a Summer League comeback for several weeks, Kenney states. His practice routine has alternated between 5-on-5 games and lighter workouts over the past few days. The training staff has been closely watching how Wiseman has responded to drills designed to improve his conditioning.
“Part of his growth, he’s got to get his wind back. You have to almost just blow it out and get him super fatigued, it’s really the only way to push him to the next level,” said assistant Jama Mahlalela, who’s serving as the team’s head coach in Las Vegas.
Wiseman, the No. 2 pick in the 2020 draft, played just 39 games as a rookie before suffering the meniscus injury. He was projected to be ready for training camp last September, but suffered setbacks that prevented him from playing. He has gone through two more procedures since then, Kenney adds, including an orthobiologic injection.
Well here we go. I wish the young man all the luck in the world. He deserves it.., he has such a great attitude and is working very hard with plenty of patience. Probably having Klay Thompson around helped a little bit as well.
Good luck James – fingers crossed that you’re finally healthy and ready to have a tremendous career!
The man is simply on the Joel Embiid timeline – never any doubt he will be a star in this game!
@As
Intrigued… best car scenario… who would you compare him to if 100% healthy and given the touches?
David Robinson
Will be fun to see how he plays with Moody and Kuminga in the summer league.
Can’t believe he missed a whole year.
Now all he has to do is stay healthy long enough to be traded to Brooklyn
GSW doesn’t want Durant.
I be wouldn’t take Durant
back, if he played for free.
Another prima Donna like
LaBraun
I guess this means I have to watch tonight.
all of a sudden, Summer League Basketball becomes a must watch.
Especially for opposing GM’s.
Wiseman wasn’t bad, but McClung really impressed.