A former lottery pick’s quest for redemption may have come to an early halt.
James Wiseman, a center for the Indiana Pacers, suffered a concerning non-contact injury during the team’s season opener against the Detroit Pistons. In the first quarter, after missing a three-point shot, Wiseman appeared to injure his left calf while attempting to move towards the ball.
He needed assistance from teammate Obi Toppin to leave the court and was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the game.
At just 23 years old, Wiseman joined the Pacers in the offseason after playing last season with the Pistons, where he averaged 7.1 points and 5.3 rebounds over 63 games. Originally selected as the No. 2 overall pick by the Golden State Warriors in the 2020 NBA Draft, Wiseman has struggled to meet expectations and is often labeled a disappointment.
Previously, he faced a significant knee injury that sidelined him for the entire 2021-22 season, requiring multiple surgeries for recovery. Now, after just one game into the new NBA season, concerns are growing about another serious injury for the former University of Memphis star.
