LAS VEGAS — One way or another, Warriors coach Jama Mahlalela was making sure a dunk would be made Sunday night to open Las Vegas Summer League action at the Thomas and Mack Center against the San Antonio Spurs.
One option was Jonathan Cuminga coming up with two points, the other was James Wiseman in his summer league debut. The latter eventually became reality to rousing cheers with Wiseman finishing off a blistering alley-oop from Kuminga that would have been the start of a successful comeback for the 21-year-old Warriors centre.
“I’m glad it was Wise,” Mahalela said with a smile when asked about the opening points of the Warriors’ huge 86-85 comeback win.
Wiseman played just under 20 minutes in his first game apart from three G League contests this year since his rookie season was cut short in April 2021 by a torn right meniscus. He missed all of last season for the Warriors due to complications from surgery and is counting down the days to that very moment. The Warriors played Wiseman in four-minute bursts to start each quarter, but then brought him back for the final 3:52 of the game.
At that point, Golden State trailed 79-74. Thirty seconds later, Wiseman caught a pass on the fly from Kuminga and completed his second dunk of the night to close the deficit. The Warriors outscored the Spurs 12-6 at the end of the stretch with Wiseman back on the court for their first win of the summer season.
Sunday not only marked the return of Wiseman and his summer league debut after being unable to participate the previous two years. It was also the first time he and Kuminga, 19, played together, giving everyone a glimpse of the reigning champions’ bright future.
“He makes all of our jobs easier,” Kuminga said of Wiseman, who scored 26 points, including the game-tying bucket and game-winning free throw. “Much easier… Just getting it rolling like that will open up the paint. If I don’t get the ball, he will get the ball. I feel like throughout the season we might run it a lot like this with [Steph Curry].
“It’s just going to open up more floors.”
Overall, Wiseman scored 11 points on 5-for-7 shooting. He made his only 3-point attempt, had two dunks and hit two jumpers — one a smooth fadeaway. Wiseman was also called for seven fouls, some fewer than others, and grabbed just two rebounds. Immediately after the match, he patted Mahlalela on the shoulder and said that he should take more tackles next time.
But it’s all part of the process. Wiseman is no longer in custody. It is in a real game environment, against other opponents, instead of individual training or playing with teammates in controlled battles. Putting him on the floor is a victory in itself, and his flashes of immense potential were far more impactful than any of his mistakes.
The Warriors know Wiseman can score in many ways, and their goal this offseason is to slowly but surely turn the former No. 2 pick into a defensive machine. There were times when he was a force on that end, especially with two early blocks. His first came at the rim and his second was further outside on an outside shot attempt.
This one was his favorite.
“Yeah, that one was nice,” Wiseman said.
After the win, which brought the entire crowd to its feet, Wiseman’s coaches and teammates gave him a standing ovation as he returned to the locker room. Those who have been around him through it all know how difficult that journey has been, and those new to the Warriors are not new to his story.
For all the top prospects in Las Vegas right now, Wiseman’s return was almost at the height of expectations.
He also showed why.
“It was a great moment,” he said. “I went through a lot of difficult times, especially as a person and as a human being. But to see everyone supporting me and lifting me up, it’s a great feeling.”
The cherry on top came from text. Steve Kerr made it to Sin City to watch Wiseman and had a front-row view of a player who figures to be a major part of the Warriors’ future.
Kerr was not disappointed.
“He just texted me saying he had a great job and said, ‘You look really good.’ “
RELATED: How Steph, Draymond were key to Warriors signing DiVincenzo
As Wiseman sat on the bench in the second quarter, Wiseman looked at head coach Rick Celebrini and hinted that he could play more. The eager center has been waiting a long, long time.
He also realizes that his first game is only part of a much larger and more important process. The Warriors know the talent they have in Wiseman. Raising the stallion in the stable is not easy.
It’s also worth it if everything comes together.
“Yeah, I felt like I could play more,” Wiseman said. “… I had about five minutes a quarter, so I was trying to get as much as I could. And when the rebounds weren’t coming my way, I was mad, but I just said, ‘Hey, I’m going to run and do whatever I can. “
The plan is for Wiseman, Kuminga and Moses Moody, who scored 34 points through three quarters Friday night but sat out Sunday with rest and a stomach problem, to all play together Tuesday against the Boston Celtics.
When asked if he was good to go, Wiseman looked at all of us as if we should mark him in Sharpie.
“Yeah, I’m going to play on Tuesday,” Wiseman said. “Definitely.”
Download and follow the Dubs Talk podcast
Add Comment