James Wiseman’s return to Detroit on Wednesday took a disastrous turn during the season opener against the Pacers. He suffered a torn left Achilles tendon and is currently working with the team to explore treatment options.
ESPN’s Shams Charania was the first to report the injury, which typically results in a season-ending prognosis, although the Pacers have not yet made an official statement.
Wiseman left the game at Little Caesars Arena after the first quarter, injuring himself during a non-contact play while backpedaling after attempting a three-pointer. He awkwardly planted his left leg and checked for contact with other players, which he had not made.
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With assistance from teammates, Wiseman struggled to reach the sidelines and was eventually ruled out for the game by the Pacers’ medical staff, who initially described the injury as a calf strain.
This injury adds to a long list of setbacks for Wiseman, the former No. 2 overall pick drafted by the Golden State Warriors in 2020. He tore his right meniscus in April 2021, which required season-ending surgery, and complications kept him from playing the entire 2021-22 season while the Warriors won the NBA Championship.
After three years with Golden State, Wiseman was traded to Detroit at the 2023 NBA trade deadline. During his time with the Pistons, he averaged 8.6 points and 6.1 rebounds, but inconsistent performances led the team to decline his fourth-year option, making him a free agent.
