Warriors center James Wiseman put on a clinic in a 96-87 win against the Wizards on Friday to open the NBA preseason in Tokyo.
The 7-foot center — who missed all of last last season rehabbing a right meniscal tear — recorded 20 points and nine rebounds in 24 minutes off the bench.
Wiseman, who added an assist and a block apiece, was 8 for 11 from the field. He was the only Warriors player to finish in double digits.
The 21-year-old is off to a quick start in proving he can be yet another solid piece for the defending champion Warriors. The Memphis product was selected second overall by Golden State in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Wiseman demonstrated a number of big plays against the Wizards, including a third-quarter poster dunk over former Knick Kristaps Porzingis.
The big man continued to rack up multiple flashy dunks in just a few minutes at Saitama Super Arena.
Wiseman and star guard Steph Curry also looked smooth in the pick-and-roll. The reigning NBA Finals MVP played 13 minutes and finished with six points and a three-pointer.
Both teams substituted frequently throughout the game. None of Golden State’s starters played more than 20 minutes.
The Warriors were also without Klay Thompson, who coach Steve Kerr said this week would not play in the NBA’s International preseason games.
Thompson was sidelined out of an abundance of caution due to him coming off two years of injury, Kerr said. Thompson tore his ACL in the 2019 NBA Finals, and then he tore his Achilles during his rehabilitation in the 2020-21 season. He was limited in his return last season.
Wiseman wasn’t the only player to receive praise in the preseason matchup.
Washington forward Rui Hachimura — a native of Japan — received a warm welcome from the sellout crowd. He led the Wizards with 13 points and nine rebounds.
The Warriors and Wizards will play again at 1 a.m. ET on Sunday morning before heading back to the US.