Controversial decision inspires James Wiseman in season-best display

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 13: James Wiseman #33 of the Golden State Warriors warms up before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on November 13, 2022 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 13: James Wiseman #33 of the Golden State Warriors warms up before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on November 13, 2022 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Golden State Warriors’ center James Wiseman has produced his best performance of the season, leading the Santa Cruz Warriors to a come-from-behind 111-100 win over the South Bay Lakers.

It comes immediately following the 21-year-old’s controversial move back to the G League, with many fans critical of the franchise’s decision to recall Wiseman for just one game where he played five minutes against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.

Golden State Warriors’ fans would have been excited watching James Wiseman’s most promising two-way display of the season on Friday night.

The move back to the G League seemed to inspire the big man rather than deflate him — a promising sign of mental fortitude in itself. Wiseman was a dominant presence on the interior throughout the game, finishing with 24 points, 10 rebounds and two steals on 9-for-10 shooting from the field and 4-for-4 from the free-throw line.

The former number two overall pick also displayed some solid defense, keeping opposing center Jay Huff to just 10 points on 5-for-16 shooting. The most impressive statistic — Wiseman was a +29 in the team’s 11-point win, displaying his positive impact as the Sea Dubs outscored the Lakers 30-11 in the final period.

Wiseman also showed a growing chemistry with Warriors rookie Ryan Rollins, with the pair combining on multiple occasions in dominant fashion. Rollins finished with a triple-double — 22 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists — just edging out Wiseman for the game-high highest plus-minus at +32.

What happens next with Wiseman will be intriguing. He was solid albeit not spectacular in his five minutes against the Jazz, recording three points, two rebounds and an assist during the second-quarter. Head coach Steve Kerr chose not to go back to him to start the fourth-quarter though as Golden State chased victory in what resulted as an agonising defeat.

Santa Cruz take on the Oklahoma City Blue on Sunday afternoon, giving Wiseman another opportunity to follow-up his season-best performance. The next question from there will be whether he joins the Warriors on their six-game East Coast roadtrip.