Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The Warriors’ shallow center position just got even shallower.
James Wiseman will be out at least a week and likely more with a sprained left wrist he sustained in Saturday’s win over the Pistons. The rookie will be re-evaluated in 7-10 days, the Warriors announced.
The injury occurred on a lob play in which Draymond Green left the ball for Wiseman, who redirected it in the hoop but was bumped by Isaiah Stewart on the way down. Wiseman fell hard on his wrist and stayed down for a few moments.
Here is the play where James Wiseman sprained his left wrist. Bumped off balance on an alley oop finish, fell hard on it. pic.twitter.com/w2CNAcecJV
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) February 1, 2021
Without Wiseman, Kevon Looney’s workload will be upped and Eric Paschall likely will have to play some smallball center. Green, too, might be shoehorned into center starting with Tuesday’s home matchup with the Celtics.
Wiseman has been at-times electric and shown just why Golden State used the No. 2 pick on a 19-year-old, who’s averaging 12.2 points per game (third best among rookies) with 6.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks through 20 games. He also has shown he’s 19 and had a shrunken college experience, often outmuscled and without the court awareness that Looney brings.
Wiseman watched practice Monday from the sideline and will now try to improve his game through studying rather than playing.