James Wiseman didn’t put up eye-popping numbers in his Summer League debut for the Warriors on Sunday, but you can’t help but be enamored by the big man’s potential with the way he moves around the floor.
Wiseman logged about 20 minutes in his first game action since three G League contests in March, posting 11 points, two rebounds with two blocks with seven fouls (out of 10 allowed). He made his presence felt on the first bucket of the game, when he threw down an oop on a lob from Jonathan Kuminga.
Think Warriors owner Joe Lacob was fired up about that bucket? Wiseman also made some fans drool by nailing this 3-pointer off the dribble.
Golden State would love to add a rim protector like Wiseman to its rotation and he showed some great activity on defense as well. Check out these blocks and his ability to stay straight up and alter shots with his massive wingspan
What’s funny is Wiseman must have been on his phone at halftime, because in the second half, a fan noticed that he liked a highlights package that the NBA put up of his first few minutes. For everything that Wiseman has endured since tearing the meniscus in his right knee in April 2021, you could understand his excitement to be back on the floor.
"It was a great moment," Wiseman said, via Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area. "I've been through a lot of hard times, especially as a person and as a human being. But to see everybody rooting for me and uplifting me, that's a great feeling."
Kuminga liked playing with him too, according to comments he told reporters in Las Vegas.
“He makes all of our job's easier," Kuminga said, via Johnson. "A lot easier. ... Just having him rolling like that, it's going to open up the paint. If I don't get the ball, he's going to get the ball. I feel like throughout the season, we might run it a lot like that with [Steph Curry]. It's just going to open up the floor more."
Wiseman also made 5-of-7 attempts from the field as he played in four-minute spurts to start each quarter and the final four minutes of the game as well. The former No. 2 overall pick said he felt like he could have played more, and that he’ll undoubtedly be on the floor for Tuesday night’s matchup against the Boston Celtics.
Moses Moody sat out Sunday’s game with a stomach issue, but is expected to take the floor with Wiseman and Kuminga Tuesday, meaning the three young Dubs will be able to play together for the first time ever.
