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.
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.
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.
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.
