Pacers' James Wiseman: Undergoes successful surgery
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Wiseman underwent successful surgery to repair a torn left Achilles on Thursday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
While the timetable for Wiseman's return is expected to be established in the coming weeks, his 2024-25 campaign is almost certainly over. Isaiah Jackson (groin), Obi Toppin and Jarace Walker are now Indiana's primary bench options in the frontcourt.
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Pacers' James Wiseman: Suffers torn Achilles
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The Pacers announced Thursday that Wiseman has suffered a torn left Achilles, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Wiseman suffered a torn left Achilles just five minutes into his regular-season debut for the Pacers. The No. 2 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft will almost certainly miss the rest of the 2024-25 campaign. With Isaiah Jackson dealing with a groin injury, Obi Toppin and Jarace Walker should receive extended minutes as bench options in Indiana's frontcourt rotation.
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Pacers' James Wiseman: Won't return Wednesday
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Wiseman has been ruled out for the remainder of Wednesday's game against the Pistons due to a left calf injury, Pat Boylan of Bally Sports Indiana reports.
Wiseman limped off the floor after suffering what seemed to be a non-contact injury and was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the contest with a calf injury. The Pacers are already thin in the frontcourt with Isaiah Jackson (groin) inactive for Wednesday's tilt. With Wiseman out, Obi Toppin, Jarace Walker and James Johnson could see more action. Per Tony East of SI.com, Wiseman will undergo an MRI on Thursday in New York. Indiana will play the Knicks on Friday.
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Pacers' James Wiseman: Back to bench
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Wiseman is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's preseason game against the Cavaliers.
With Myles Turner (knee) available, Wiseman will return to the bench. Wiseman certainly left a good impression in the preseason opener, though, putting up eight points (4-4 FG, 0-3 FT) and four rebounds across 16 minutes in Tuesday's 131-130 loss to the Hawks.
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Pacers' James Wiseman: Perfect from field Tuesday
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Wiseman logged eight points (4-4 FG, 0-3 FT) and four rebounds across 16 minutes in Tuesday's 131-130 preseason loss to the Hawks.
Wiseman got the start in place of Myles Turner (knee) and was impressive, hitting all four of his shots from the field and looking active on the glass despite playing a mere 16 minutes. Wiseman will aim to deliver a good impression on the coaching staff in the upcoming preseason contests, as he's battling with Isaiah Jackson (undisclosed) for the backup center position behind Turner.
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Pacers' James Wiseman: Starting Tuesday
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Wiseman will enter the starting lineup for Tuesday's preseason opener against the Hawks.
With both Myles Turner (knee) and Isaiah Jackson (hamstring) ruled out, Wiseman will get the starting nod. The 23-year-old is expected to compete for minutes with Jackson and Obi Toppin off the bench behind Turner, though Wiseman could serve as the third-string center with Toppin backing up Pascal Siakam at power forward.
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Pacers' James Wiseman: Off injury report Tuesday
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Wiseman (groin) is not listed on the injury report ahead of Tuesday's preseason opener against the Hawks.
With Myles Turner (knee) and Isaiah Jackson (hamstring) both ruled out, the Pacers are expected to take an extended look at Jarace Walker and Wiseman on Tuesday. The 23-year-old will have to compete for minutes off the bench with Obi Toppin, Jackson and Walker, but Wiseman could push his way to the team's backup center role with a strong preseason.
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Pacers' James Wiseman: Dealing with groin issue
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Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said Monday that Wiseman is dealing with a groin issue that will limit his availability during training camp, Tony East of SI.com reports.
Carlisle added that Wiseman had a great offseason with the team and impressed the coaching staff. Carlisle also said he hopes to simplify Wiseman's role on the court and anticipates that the rest of the roster will enjoy playing with him.
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Pacers' James Wiseman: Joins Indy on two-year deal
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Wiseman agreed on a two-year deal with the Pacers on Tuesday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
The Pistons let Wiseman walk in free agency, and the 2020 No. 2 overall pick will join the Pacers to back up Myles Turner. Wiseman played one full season with Detroit after being acquired from the Warriors in 2022-23, during which he averaged a career-low 7.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 0.6 blocks across 17.3 minutes in 63 regular-season games. The 23-year-old will aim for a fresh start where he will potentially revitalize his career on a team that hopes to contend.
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James Wiseman: Enters free agency
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The Pistons didn't tender a $7.74 million qualifying offer to Wiseman on Saturday, making him an unrestricted free agent, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.
Wiseman was the No. 2 overall pick in 2020 for the Warriors, but he has struggled to find a significant role in his three seasons in the league. After being acquired from the Pistons at the trade deadline in 2023, the 23-year-old spent the entirety of the 2023-24 season in Detroit. When healthy, WIseman largely served as the No. 2 center behind Jalen Duren, averaging 7.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 0.6 blocks across 17.3 minutes. Wiseman's youth, size and potential should be enough to help him land at least a one-year deal in free agency.
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Pistons' James Wiseman: Big double-double Sunday
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Wiseman finished Sunday's 123-95 loss to San Antonio with 21 points (8-17 FG, 5-7 FT), 17 rebounds, one assist, one block and two steals in 40 minutes.
Making his second straight start and sixth since March 22, Wiseman set a season high in boards en route to his seventh double-double of 2023-24. The 23-year-old center has still not lived up to expectations as the second overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, but in his six starts over the final weeks of the season, he averaged 14.7 points and 10.5 rebounds in 33.0 minutes a contest while shooting 59.4 percent from the floor. Wiseman will be a restricted free agent this offseason, but it's not clear if he wants to return to Detroit, or if the Pistons intend to bring him back, with Jalen Duren entrenched as the team's starting center.
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Pistons' James Wiseman: Double-double in win
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Wiseman registered 10 points (5-10 FG), 10 rebounds, two assists and two blocks across 36 minutes during Friday's 107-89 win over the Mavericks.
Wiseman's double-double marked his sixth of the season and fourth in the last 11 games. In that 11-game stretch, the 2020 No. 2 pick has averaged 7.5 minutes, 6.6 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 0.5 blocks across 23.4 minutes. He will look to close out the season strongly in Sunday's game against the Spurs.
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Pistons' James Wiseman: Starting against Dallas
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Wiseman will start Friday's game against Dallas, Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Jalen Duren is sitting out with back spasms, and it's unclear if he'll be available for the season finale on Sunday. In four starts this season, Wiseman holds averages of 14.3 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists.
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Pistons' James Wiseman: Heads to bench Tuesday
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Wiseman is not in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the 76ers.
Wiseman will return to his regular bench role with the return of Jalen Duren to the starting unit. Wiseman has averaged just 6.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game when deployed off the bench, meaning he shouldn't carry a big fantasy appeal for this contest.
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Pistons' James Wiseman: Starting vs. Brooklyn
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Wiseman is in the starting lineup to face the Nets on Saturday.
Wiseman will get the nod at center with Jalen Duren (ankle) sidelined. Given the lack of depth in the frontcourt, look for Wiseman to play heavy minutes while matching up with Nic Claxton on both ends of the court. Wiseman is averaging 17.7 points, 10.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game in three starts this season.
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Pistons' James Wiseman: Gets extended playing time Monday
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Wiseman supplied 10 points (5-8 FG, 0-1 FT), 10 rebounds and one block in 28 minutes during Monday's 110-108 loss to the Grizzlies.
Wiseman got an extended run Monday after Jalen Duren left the game in the first quarter due to a dislodged tooth. Wiseman took advantage of the opportunity and registered his sixth double-double of the season. Duren is trending toward playing Wednesday against the Hawks, so Wiseman's role could be diminished again.
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Pistons' James Wiseman: Back to bench
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Wiseman isn't in the starting five for Wednesday's game versus the Timberwolves.
Jalen Duren will replace Wiseman in the starting five Wednesday after missing time with a back injury. Wiseman is averaging 7.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.0 blocks in 18.2 minutes across his last five appearances coming off the bench.
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Pistons' James Wiseman: Records double-double in loss
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Wiseman notched 14 points (7-11 FG), 11 rebounds, one assist and one block across 31 minutes during Monday's 124-99 loss to the Knicks.
The Pistons looked overmatched against the Knicks, but Wiseman delivered a decent performance Monday, posting his second consecutive double-double. Given the Pistons are out of contention, don't be surprised if Wiseman experiences an uptick in playing time and usage rate. He's averaging 31.7 minutes, 17.7 points and 10.3 rebounds per game over his last three appearances.
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Pistons' James Wiseman: Top rebounder in double-double
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Wiseman accumulated 15 points (5-8 FG, 5-6 FT) and 11 rebounds over 27 minutes during Sunday's 114-101 loss to the Pelicans.
Wiseman led all players in Sunday's contest in rebounds while ending as one of four Pistons with 15 or more points en route to posting the lone double-double of the game. Wiseman has hauled in 10 or more rebounds in four games this season, posting a double-double in three of those four contests. All three of Wiseman's double-double performances have taken place over the last 10 games.
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Pistons' James Wiseman: Season-high 24 points Friday
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Wiseman produced 24 points (11-13 FG, 2-4 FT), nine rebounds and four assists over 37 minutes during Friday's 129-102 loss to the Celtics.
It was the best scoring performance of the season for Wiseman, who fell just short of his third double-double of 2023-24. The 22-year-old center was getting his first start of the season with Jalen Duren (back) a late scratch and Isaiah Stewart (hamstring) done for the season, and Wiseman seems set for a significant role in the frontcourt over the final weeks of the campaign. Through 16 games since the All-Star break, he's averaged 18.6 minutes a contest with 8.3 points, 6.6 boards, 1.4 assists and 0.6 blocks while shooting 62.5 percent from the floor.
