The Warriors will have to monitor the health of third-year center James Wiseman, who will miss Friday night’s contest against Portland Trail Blazers with a sprained ankle. Golden State coach Steve Kerr said Wiseman got hurt while playing in a 3-on-3 game Friday morning.
"It’s unfortunate,” Kerr said. “But it’s fairly common for guys to get limited minutes to get extra work in the morning after shootaround. He just rolled it. It doesn't seem too serious but he'll miss (Friday)'s game."
Wiseman has been more reliable off the bench for Kerr since returning from his three-week stint in the G League. He dropped 30 points on 12-of-14 shooting in a blowout loss to the Brooklyn Nets before getting applauded for his scoreless, eight-minute run the next game against the Memphis Grizzlies. The heavily criticized 7-footer is trying to prove he can do the dirty work like, rebound and defend – specifically defend without fouling. In 19 NBA games, he’s averaging 6.8 points and 3.6 rebounds per game.
Rookie Patrick Baldwin Jr. was called up from the Santa Cruz Warriors, meaning he could appear in a game in three consecutive contests if he plays Friday. Baldwin scored 11 points in 13 minutes on Wednesday with Golden State, showing off a great shooting stroke, before scoring 14 points in 25 minutes with Santa Cruz Thursday.
Kerr said forward Andrew Wiggins took part in Friday’s 3-on-3 scrimmage and could return to the lineup Monday against the Atlanta Hawks. Wiggins is getting over an illness after overcoming an adductor strain that kept him out 10 games.
“He’s feeling better,” Kerr said. “We’re hopeful he’ll be able to play against Atlanta. Got a good workout (Friday) and he’ll get another one (Saturday). Hopefully he progresses to be able to play Monday.
Much like Wiggins, Warriors veteran forward JaMychal Green is overcoming multiple health setbacks. He is now sidelined with a right lower leg infection after being placed in the NBA’s healthy and safety protocols on Dec. 20.
"Poor guy has gone through a rough couple of weeks,” Kerr said. “It’s nothing serious but it’s enough to keep him out right now."
Warriors are skating thin without Steph Curry (left shoulder subluxation), but Klay Thompson will be available against the Blazers after sitting out Wednesday’s second leg of a back-to-back.
