Steve Kerr and the Golden State Warriors will finally welcome back their most impactful frontcourt players tonight against the Philadelphia 76ers — when rookie James Wiseman and second-year star Eric Paschall resume action after a three-game absence due to COVID-19 protocols.
Per The Athletic's Anthony Slater:
James Wiseman and Eric Paschall officially listed as probable tonight vs the Sixers. They’ve missed the past three games because of contact tracing.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 23, 2021
Wiseman's inaugural campaign has been solid, so far. In 29 games (of a possible 43), he's averaging 11.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.0 block — shooting 52.6% from the field, 61.3% from the stripe, and a surprising 36.7% from the arc on one attempt per game. The 19-year-old true center hasn't played since March 15, when he went for seven points and eight rebounds in a 31-point loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Article Continues BelowThis, however, could be the stretch of consistent hoops he needs to finish strong. With the unfortunate injury to Charlotte's LaMelo Ball, Wiseman will be among the potential 2021 NBA Rookie of the Year favorites in Minnesota's Anthony Edwards, Sacramento's Tyrese Haliburton, New York's Immanuel Quickley and Detroit's Saddiq Bey to claim the coveted honor.
He missed a stretch of 11 games from Feb. 2-20 due to a sprained left wrist, which could keep him from the award altogether. But through these first 43 games, however, the Warriors sit at 22-21 and on the very fringe of the 2021 Western Conference playoff picture.
Only 9 1/2 games behind first-place Utah, the Warriors can make a concerted push into the fray. And should Wiseman play well during the season's close — it could be an interesting conversation. He scored in double digits in 19 of his 29 first games, put up a career-best 25 points in a Jan. 27 win over Minnesota, and twice collected a career-high 11 rebounds (Jan. 3 against Portland, March 4 against Phoenix).
Of Golden State's entire roster, only forward Andrew Wiggins has played in every contest. Health, as always, has been a big factor in the Warriors' lingering around .500.