Could Wiseman make season debut during Warriors' road trip? originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
Tuesday begins a four-game road trip for the Warriors, starting in Minnesota and then moving on to Dallas, Los Angeles and Denver. It also marks two weeks since center James Wiseman advanced his rehab to scrimmaging in a 5-on-5 setting.
Wiseman looked good in that first scrimmage and continues to do so as he inches closer to his return. The second-year pro practiced with the Warriors' G League affiliate in Santa Cruz on Friday and was recalled Saturday. He's with the Warriors in Minnesota and is participating in a 3-on-3 scrimmage Monday night.
So, could Wiseman make his season debut during the Warriors' four-game road trip that spans one week?
Steve Kerr was non-committal Monday night when asked by The Athletic's Anthony Slater, but didn't dismiss the possibility.
"I will continue to express what I've expressed over recent weeks," Kerr said. "It's day-to-day. We will continue to call it day-to-day until we have something otherwise to report."
When the road trip ends, it will be nearly one month since Wiseman began going through 3-on-3 contact drills. How much more do the Warriors need to see?
Everything has been positive lately on Wiseman's impending return, with Steph Curry saying Wiseman looks like a "beast," especially with how much bigger he is than the rest of the Warriors. Juan Toscano-Anderson, after guarding Wiseman in a recent scrimmage, explained why the former No. 2 pick is the "toolbox."
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“He has every tool in the box," Toscano-Anderson said. "He can do everything as a 7-footer. I just drool at his potential and his capabilities. He’s protecting the rim. He’s going up to dunk on lobs, pushing the ball in transition. Behind-the-back, step-back 3s.
“It’s like, man, bro, where does this come from? I wish I had all these capabilities.”
Following two knee surgeries, the first initially in April and then a clean-up in December, Wiseman hasn't played in a game since April 10, 2021. But he also has worked extensively with coach Dejan Milojević, who was hired to get the best out the big man. Wiseman, who turns 21 years old next month, has gained a significant amount of muscle during his rehab and now weighs nearly 20 pounds more than his listed weight of 240 pounds.
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Wiseman recognizes his role can be as simple as needed when he returns, and his presence alone can make a big difference for a Warriors team that has missed his size in the paint, along with Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala's absences. All three players remain on the latest injury report for Tuesday night's game against the Timberwolves, along with Klay Thompson.
The star shooting guard didn't travel to Minnesota and is set to miss his second straight game to "general illness." Kerr said Thompson could fly and meet the Warriors for their game Thursday against the Mavericks.
The Wiseman wait continues, just as the door appears to be opening more -- ever so slightly.
