No. 2 overall pick James Wiseman is unlikely to play in any of the Golden State Warriors’ three preseason games ahead of the start of the 2020-21 regular season, head coach Steve Kerr said on Thursday.
Wiseman has yet to participate in practice with the Warriors during training camp after reportedly testing positive for the coronavirus. He has been permitted to watch from inside the team facility and progressed to a light on-court workout on Thursday.
Warriors forward Draymond Green also reportedly returned a positive coronavirus test and has not yet been cleared. The two have both been ruled out of Saturday’s preseason contest versus the Denver Nuggets and likely won’t suit up next week.
“Neither one will play Saturday and very unlikely to play either game in Sacramento,” Kerr said Thursday on a Zoom call with reporters. “We’ve gotta be very careful and smart given the layoff we’re all coming off of and the short amount of time for training camp. There is no way I’d throw either guy into an NBA game right away, you gotta build up to that.”
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Any player who has returned a positive test is isolated until they are cleared for leaving isolation under the rules established by the NBA and the Players Association. They also need to go through a cardiogram and other heart testing in order to be cleared to play.
Kerr expressed some concern with Wiseman missing training camp since it is his first time practicing with the team but said he is watching film and studying up on the plays while off of the court.
The Warriors will certainly be cautious with Wiseman and Green upon their return given the circumstances. Wiseman appears to be progressing toward a return in the near future but will endure a slower than expected start to his rookie campaign.
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