After the Golden State Warriors returned to practice following the 2021 All-Star break, the team was without James Wiseman on Wednesday. Following a missed COVID-19 test during the break, the 2020 second overall pick was forced to miss practice on Wednesday.
Without practicing, Wiseman’s availability for Golden State’s first game after the All-Star break against the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday was in question.
According to Steve Kerr, Wiseman missing the test was just a mistake. In a video conference with members of the media, Kerr called Wiseman’s missed test “disappointing.”
However, despite missing practice, Anthony Slater of The Athletic is reporting Wiseman is expected to play against the Clippers on Thursday at Staples Center. Wiseman will need to continue testing negative for COVID-19 before the game.
Via @anthonyVslater on Twitter:
The expectation is that James Wiseman will be available tonight against the Clippers, I’m told, per league’s protocol, as long as he continues to test negative. Wiseman missed a test over the break, forcing him to miss yesterday’s practice.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 11, 2021
Prior to the All-Star break, Wiseman tallied 11 points on 5-of-14 shooting from the field with 11 boards, two assists and a block in a season-high 35 minutes for the Warriors.
In 26 games, Wiseman is averaging 11.8 points on 51% shooting from the field with 5.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 20.8 minutes per contest.
To push towards the playoffs, the Warriors will need Wiseman to take the next step in his rookie season progression.
