In Utah, James Wiseman participated in his first contact practice of the season. It was a 3-on-3 drill that the second-year player was able to compete in without any known setbacks. That's a major step in the right direction for the young Golden State Warriors center, something that Stephen Curry couldn't help but be excited about.

While Steph acknowledged that Wiseman is ways away, he is confident the youngster will be able to return sooner rather than later.

“There are a couple more hurdles to get through to get back on the floor, but he has an amazing opportunity to join us at the right time down the stretch,” Stephen Curry told ESPN about James Wiseman.

The Warriors have the second-best record in the NBA, but they still struggle at times against some centers around the league. Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic are two big men on teams that would be problems in the postseason, and since winning a championship is the goal, the Dubs are aware of how important Wiseman is for the team this season.

The No. 2 pick in the 2020 draft hasn't played a single game this 2021-22 campaign. His return date was pushed back multiple times, and his latest setback was a procedure to reduce the swelling in his knee. Now the 7-footer is back on the court and getting closer to an anticipated return.

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In his rookie season, Wiseman averaged 11.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 0.9 blocks. The season didn't go as planned, but he showed a lot of promise and ability when on the court.

In his second year, he's expected to be better on the floor because he will have fewer responsibilities and the game should be easier. Wiseman is the only player on the roster that hasn't played this year. If he makes a full recovery, the promising big man could be a big reason the Warriors win an NBA title.