While the rest of the Warriors took a much-needed day off Tuesday, second-year center James Wiseman practiced with a group of former players and team staffers in a contact 5-on-5 scrimmage. It marked his first run in a 10-man game in more than 10 months since he tore his meniscus in his right knee last April.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr joined 95.7 The Game’s “Damon & Ratto” Tuesday for his weekly appearance and gave an update on Wiseman and more. You can listen to the full interview below:
"He played 5-on-5 for the first time today," Kerr told hosts Damon Bruce and Ray Ratto. "Kind of a mix of half court and full court. He looked good. I saw him afterwards and he said he felt great. The knee is doing really well. Those are all really positive signs. With that said, we don't know what it means long term. It just means he will continue to ramp up his work and hopefully continue to progress where he gets to the point where he'll be able to play this year. We don't have a timetable and we don't really know what's next beyond tomorrow. We're just taking it a day at a time."
If it sounds like Kerr's answer is vague, it's probably by design. Kerr is weary of painting the Warriors into any type of corner when it comes to a possible return date for Wiseman, after the team has issued positive progress reports at various times over the past few months though it seemed like Wiseman's rehab had plateaued. This is uncharted territory for the 20-year-old and they'll have to see how his body responds to regular, full-speed work.
Wiseman hasn’t played since April 10, 2021. This year, April 10 marks the end of the Warriors’ regular season, meaning Wiseman has 54 days and 24 games left before the playoff prep begins. Golden State will remain patient with Wiseman, who was slowed by a December arthroscopic knee surgery.
The skilled 7-footer was limited to 39 games last season, averaging 21.4 minutes per contest. He averaged 11.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game while shooting 51.9 percent from the floor.
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The Warriors are limping into the All-Star break, having lost three of four before Wednesday’s first-half finale against the Denver Nuggets. In Monday’s loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, the Warriors were exposed inside. Though he wasn’t the most menacing shot-blocker as a rookie, Wiseman’s mere size and presence would be a nice addition for Golden State, which is very thin in the frontcourt beyond Kevon Looney.
With the expected returns of Wiseman and Draymond Green (calf/back) in the coming weeks, it sounds like Golden State would have to be wooed in order to make a move on the buyout market.
