Pacers backup center James Wiseman sustained a torn left Achilles tendon in Wednesday’s season opener vs. Detroit, reports Shams Charania of ESPN (via Twitter).
According to Charania, Wiseman and the team are working together to evaluate treatment options. Wiseman underwent an MRI on Thursday which confirmed the injury, according to a press release from the Pacers.
Wiseman suffered the injury in the first quarter while backpedaling after a missed three-point attempt (YouTube link via ESPN). He glanced behind him as though someone had kicked his leg, but there was no contact, a common sign of an Achilles injury.
It’s a devastating blow for the former No. 2 overall pick, who signed a two-year, minimum-salary deal with Indiana as a free agent over the summer. While Wiseman’s $2.2MM salary for 2024/25 is currently only partially guaranteed for $500K, it will likely become fully guaranteed due to the injury, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks (Twitter link). The Pacers hold a team option on Wiseman’s contract for ’25/26.
Wiseman had played well in the preseason, Marks notes, averaging 8.5 points and 5.8 rebounds in 12.8 minutes per game. The 23-year-old big man seemed to be ahead of fourth-year center Isaiah Jackson on the depth chart, and had six points in four minutes on Wednesday prior to the injury.
Wiseman has dealt with several injuries in his young career, including missing the entire ’21/22 season following knee surgery. Through four seasons, he was limited to just 148 games, and now will likely be out until at least next fall after tearing his Achilles.
The Pacers, who have an open roster spot, have a few different options for replacing Wiseman’s minutes. Jackson is the other primary center off the bench, but they could also go small, with forwards Obi Toppin, Jarace Walker and Enrique Freeman all receiving playing time yesterday.
Sheeesh. This kid can’t catch a break. Maybe try a different career?
Human body isn’t designed to be that big/tall.
Tough break. At the very least, he can use the next 12 months to study and learn the non-physical aspects of the game – he’s always had incredible physical ability, but too often looked lost on the court.
Hard to believe he’s only 23.
Wow that really sucks for both him and the team. Pacers are one of the teams I was excited to watch this year. They’ve built a good squad that is fun to watch.
Horrible. Feel so bad for the kid. But knowing him he will work hard and keep the dream going. Hope he gets another chance in 26.
Still only 23 and big men generally mature slowly, he might still have a career in this league but who knows. Crazy to think GSW could have had Lamelo or Tyrese instead of Wiseman.
Attention Davey. Teaching moment here. All this in love my friend. Take it for what you will.
This is narcissism 101. Your comment is similar to when the guy attends a funeral over a friend’s tragic lost son and you would say,
“Sad news. Good thing it wasn’t our son.”
Get it?
Now is not the time to mention that you’re thinking the Warriors could have drafted someone else instead of Wiseman and fared much better. The focus here is on the horrible news of James’ injury. It’s a time for empathy and recognition of his difficult situation and perhaps a positive note that maybe he can work hard and come back.
Many give you crap. I’m your pal, I’m going to explain why.
I wouldnt say “narcissism 101”, now I look at it its more “not in great taste”. Its not like I didnt give a take about the injury first. I did not wish him bad. I said he might still have a future in this league (which, after multiple serious injuries means his entire career is in peril). But I see your overall point. Thanks for the tone policing.
Probably not the place to do that kind of thing but hell why not? I think you’re a good dude and you’re always nice to me. See something say something LOL just kidding. My opinions no better than yours or the next guy’s.
Imagine trying be intelligent, but being completely wrong about someone being a narcissist lmao
TigersLoveCinnamon, I’m just throwing it out there. I think he’s cool so just trying to clue him in on why he might receive some flack. I’m probably wrong. I don’t know.., just throwing in my two cents. Thanks for your correction, I appreciate it.
Really was looking forward to him reestablishing his value and his career again. Hope he recovers asap.
Evaluating treatment options? It’s a torn tendon. Surgery, rest, and physical therapy is the only way to go. The tensions has to be reattached and then needs time to heal and strengthen. Sadly, Wiseman is done for the season.
But because he’s Young he can recover to something like 90% of his Mobility from before?
Perhaps as a big man, who we know aren’t fast or agile to begin with, this won’t even negatively affect his game two years from tonight? He can still come back and be…, well, James Wiseman !!
He can continue to grow mentally, mature, learn the game, and be a valuable NBA player if he’s fortunate.
On a positive note we do know he has a good shooting stroke. Watch him 5 years from now be a key player on a great team, and still be only 28 years old with lots of earnings potential in front of him.
Too bad. I can’t think of any player (certainly any big man) that’s had this injury at his age. Maybe that’s a good thing, where his age helps him defy history (so few guys that have had this, regardless of age or position, have come back from it uncompromised). Durant, at least to me, counts as a success story, but his body type is almost unique for his skill set. With respect to bigs, Cousins had something of a post-injury career; he was somewhat older (though still in his 20’s), but far more skilled, at the time of his injury. Others?
He’ll need surgery in any event, but if there are alternatives to the current template there and/or in rehab, he should strongly consider them. The current template doesn’t seem to provide much comfort.
But he didn’t glance behind himself as people many times do with this injury, thinking somebody kicked him. He turned around and was facing the other way and nobody was around him, then he looked back at the floor, like he thought something was on the floor that tripped him, or he slipped on.
Was hoping it was just a strain or a partial tear, since typically, other than Bean Bryant, players don’t usually walk off the court practically by themselves.
Best wishes for a FULL recovery, rather than a speedy one.
Dont give up Wiseman!! Dont get down. 15 years ahead of you…..
Hope it isn’t another Jonathan Bender situation
Hopefully he can rebound from this one, sucks since he didn’t get a true chance in Golden State
Wow smacky great memory. Forgot all about him. You must be a Pacers fan? But he was so skilled. I can’t remember what happened, was it his knee and he only played 5 years before he had to retire?
“His (Bender’s) career as a Pacer ground to a halt in 2006. Chronic knee pain — the result, Bender believes to this day, of that abnormal growth spurt during his teenage years — winnowed down his seasons: from 46 games in the 2002-03 season to 21 the next year, to seven, to two. By his sixth season, Bender could barely walk down a flight of stairs.
So he retired, leaving all that potential unrealized.”
From Indy Star, 6/19/14: link to indystar.com
Not a Pacers fan, just basketball. Just thought he was gonna be good.
Hurt again….darn
This sucks. Damnit. Why did you sign with Indiana? Chicago, Washington, GS, Atlanta, Memphis etc etc etc would have been better choices. This guy must have the same agent as Drummond. Horrible decision. Next time talk to me before you are out of the NBA. His agent wants that probably
Really bad take. Try again.
What that he should have not signed with Indiana? What is the bad take. Be more specific. Try again casual. Don’t like your own take because that is weak. Try again
Wiseman won’t give up. He’s been through so much adversity already. I’ll be pulling for him.
Kids got no luck …….. get healthy, get smarter, get stronger. Still time to make things right.