A couple of weeks ago, the Warriors emphasized their desire to get James Wiseman airborne for more alley-oop opportunities.
The 7-foot rookie possesses rare athleticism and has the potential to feast above the rim. Draymond Green tried to get Wiseman the ball for a lob opportunity in transition on Saturday but the Warriors’ rookie took an awkward spill after colliding with Detroit Pistons forward Isaiah Stewart mid-air.
The Warriors on Monday announced that Wiseman will miss the next seven to 10 days as he recovers from a sprained left wrist.
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It’s notable that the ball went in despite Stewart’s foul, which sent Wiseman to the line. Wiseman stayed in the game, knocked down the free throw and finished out the quarter before resting in the fourth with Golden State’s starters. He finished with 11 points and nine rebounds, one board shy of his second career double-double.
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Wiseman’s absence will hurt the Warriors in the short term and the rookie’s development this season, as he could miss up to four games next week and six games between now and Feb. 11. Expect veteran big man Kevon Looney to get more minutes, along with an increased role for Eric Paschall.
Golden State Warriors
Wiseman is averaging 12.2 points and 6.1 rebounds this year, and is widely considered one of the top rookies in the league along with others the Charlotte Hornets’ LaMelo Ball, the Kings’ Tyrese Haliburton and the Boston Celtics’ Payton Pritchard.