James Wiseman’s first season with the Indiana Pacers will officially consist of less than a quarter of basketball.
After leaving with a non-contact injury in the first quarter of the Pacers’ season opener on Wednesday, the big man was diagnosed with a torn left Achilles tendon, the Pacers announced. The setback is the latest for the 23-year-old, whose career has been plagued by injuries since the Golden State Warriors selected him with the No. 2 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Wiseman left Wednesday’s game against the Detroit Pistons after appearing to suffer the injury while backpedaling after shooting a three-pointer from the top of the key. He awkwardly planted his left leg and then looked back as if he thought someone had made contact with him. There was no one there.
He then had trouble walking in midfield and needed help from teammate Obi Toppin to limp off the floor. He immediately went to the Pacers locker room and was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the game due to a calf injury. Further details about Wiseman’s injury were not initially released.
Another injury for Wiseman
Wiseman joined the Pacers this offseason after spending last season-plus with the Pistons. He spent his first two-plus NBA seasons with Golden State.
Knee and wrist injuries limited Wiseman to 39 games as a rookie on an experienced Warriors team. He then missed the entire 2021-2022 season with a meniscus tear during Golden State’s run to an NBA championship.
The Warriors traded Wiseman to the Pistons before the midseason trade deadline in 2023, and he’s been a journeyman ever since. He saw the most action of his career in 63 games with the Pistons last season and joined the Pacers this offseason as a backup to Myles Turner.
Now a once-promising career, already derailed by injuries, will see another season derailed.
