Pacers’ James Wiseman debuts in Memphis after yearlong injury absence, where ‘It means everything’
It was fitting that James Wiseman’s first regular-season game in more than a calendar year came at FedExForum.
It’s the arena where he played college basketball for the Memphis Tigers, even if he played only three games during a notorious season that included court cases, injunctions and very little basketball. And it was the arena where Wiseman made his season debut, not just playing but starting for the Indiana Pacers when they faced the Grizzlies on Oct. 25.
“It means everything,” Wiseman said. “I’ve got family out here, so it’s a blessing to be out here, to be able to play in front of the fans.”
Wiseman ultimately scored four points and grabbed four rebounds in almost 20 minutes in the 128-103 loss to the Grizzlies. It was his first regular-season game since he tore his Achilles tendon on Oct. 23, 2024.
The No. 2 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, Wiseman has bounced around the NBA during an injury-riddled professional career. He said he talked to Memphis coach Penny Hardaway recently, and also had texted with former Tigers guard Alex Lomax before the game.
“It’s weird, I’m not going to lie,” Wiseman said about playing at FedExForum as a pro. “It’s weird.”
Wiseman did not play in the Pacers’ season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Oct. 23, so this was his season debut. And Pacers coach Rick Carlisle decided to make it special by inserting him into the starting lineup.
“He worked extremely hard to get his rehab done during the year,” Carlisle said before the game. “The number of hours and sweat and everything else that went into it was pretty amazing. I was watching it firsthand almost every day. He did some very good things in the preseason. He just needs to stay ready. I know he has strong ties to Memphis. I know he’s probably very happy to be home.”
Though the Pacers lost, Wiseman still had his moment by just taking the floor.
“It was exciting, man,” he said. “Just even to be out there. Coming back from an Achilles injury, it’s one of the most severe injuries that you could have as an athlete. Just being able to come back and still feel good and my conditioning feels good and I’m able to be myself when I’m running and stuff, it’s a blessing. Because I put in so much work to get back.”
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at [email protected] or on X @thejonahdylan.
