The Golden State Warriors have jumped out to a 5-1 start in the 2021-22 season and look like one of the best teams in the league. That is bad news for the rest of the NBA, as the Warriors have been patiently waiting for injured players projected to be in their rotation to return to the mix.
The first of those injured players returned over the weekend, as Jonathan Kuminga made his NBA debut. He didn’t receive a ton of playing time, but it was good to see the No. 7 overall pick from the 2021 NBA Draft get on the court.
The next player the Warriors could see make a return to the court is James Wiseman.
The No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft has been sidelined as he recovers from his meniscus tear in his right knee. He took one step closer to returning, as he has been cleared to take part in full-team practices.
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Now, he is still a little ways away from returning, as he has not yet been cleared to scrimmage. But, this is a step in the right direction to getting Wiseman back on the court.
“I think it’s just been a gradual improvement over time,” Kerr said after Monday’s practice. “He hasn’t had any setbacks. But this is something that we’re obviously taking very seriously and taking very slowly, but the good thing is he advanced from his individual work to do all of the team stuff other than the scrimmaging so it’s a good step, but it’s just part of the process.”
When that next step is going to be taken is anyone’s guess. The Golden State Warriors aren’t going to rush him, as he not only has to prove that he is healthy but needs to get in condition to play.
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Could some of that conditioning come in the G League? James Wiseman noted that he wouldn’t mind getting some work in with the Santa Cruz Warriors, the team’s G League affiliate.
“I would like to go down there so that I can get sharp physically, mentally,” Wiseman said. “And I’m getting there. So whatever happens within that time, I’m down for whatever.”
Getting reps there would be a great idea. It would allow him to get some live reps he may not be afforded to get with the NBA team. Getting his feet wet in game action to get up to speed to play in an NBA game is smart, especially after he played in only 39 games as a rookie.
Golden State has already found some success this season. As they get healthier, they will be an even more difficult team to handle.
