After getting blown out by the Brooklyn Nets to start the season, the Golden State Warriors followed with another underwhelming loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Although the Warriors registered an ugly 39 point loss on Christmas Day, 2020 No. 2 overall pick James Wiseman recorded another impressive performance in his second game as a professional.
Wiseman got to work quickly on Christmas Day, scoring seven points in the first quarter, shooting a perfect 2-of-2 from the field with a triple in only five minutes of action. The Memphis product added another seven points in the second quarter on 2-of-3 shooting from the field with three rebounds.
The 19-year-old capped an impressive first half with 14 points on 4-5 shooting from the field with a pair of triples and four boards. Wiseman added to his solid first half with a pair of blocks on the defensive side of the floor.
Via @espn on Twitter:
Wiseman pulled this shot straight out of the air
pic.twitter.com/9sD2w2Pj0s
— ESPN (@espn) December 25, 2020
Wiseman finished the game with 18 points on 5-of-11 shooting with eight rebounds and three blocks. The Memphis product continued to show off his inside-out ability, hitting 3 shots from beyond the arc on four attempts.
Via @warriors on Twitter:
James is making a #SPLASH
in his #NBAXmas debut.
ABC pic.twitter.com/YZKU0phGJN
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) December 25, 2020
Wiseman’s 37 points through two games are the most points from a Warriors’ rookie since fellow No. 2 overall pick Rick Barry in 1965.
Most points through the first two games of a career by a Warriors' rook since Rick Barry.@BigTicket_JW || #DubNation pic.twitter.com/sivU46GatP
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) December 26, 2020
Despite the Warriors’ early-season struggles, Wiseman’s progress through two games is a positive step for the future of the franchise.
Wiseman will have the opportunity to build on his rookie campaign when the Warriors travel to Chicago on Sunday.
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