Wiseman Scores Game-High 20 Points as Dubs Defeats Wizards in Preseason Opener

The defending-champion Golden State Warriors took the court for the first time since winning the 2022 NBA Championship in June, defeating the Washington Wizards 96-87 at Saitama Super Arena in Japan, as part of their two-game preseason series in the NBA Japan Games 2022.

The Dubs led for a majority of the night, including the whole second half on Friday night. James Wiseman led the Warriors with 20 points and nine rebounds. Donte DiVincenzo added nine points and seven rebounds off of the bench. Sixteen different Warriors saw action in the game.

With Steve Kerr announcing pregame that Klay Thompson would not play in either of the two games in Japan, Jordan Poole took Thompson’s place in the starting lineup, joining Stephen Curry, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green and Kevon Looney. The starters did not get too much run in the opener. Curry recorded six points, three rebounds and two assists in 13 minutes of action. Kevon Looney, who played in all 104 games last season, recorded four points and seven rebounds on Friday, including grabbing a game-high-tying three offensive rebounds.

Third year center James Wiseman, who has not suited up for the Dubs since April 10, 2020, showed off his impact on both ends of the court in the win. The 7-0 center scored 20 points, making 8-of-11 field goals. Wiseman was extremely active near the rim offensively, recording six dunks, including an alley-oop slam from Stephen Curry. He also added nine rebounds, one assist and a block as he a finished with a team-high plus-14 plus-minus.

Summer free agent signings Donte DiVincenzo and JaMychal Green made their debuts with the Dubs in Friday’s win. DiVincenzo recorded nine points, seven rebounds and two assists, connecting on 2-of-3 3-point attempts. JaMychal Green was held scoreless in the win, but was very active on the glass, recording three offensive rebounds and five total rebounds.

First round draft pick Patrick Baldwin Jr. added seven points in eight minutes of action. The rookie forward scored all seven of his points in the third quarter, scoring in a couple of different varieties. Baldwin’s first basket came on a pick-and-pop 3-pointer, his second on a turnaround fadeaway from 12-feet over Daniel Gafford. And finally picking up his final two points from the free throw line, making both of his attempts on the night. Fellow 2022 Draft Pick, Ryan Rollins added eight points in the contest, shooting 1-for-6 from the field, but making all six of his free throw attempts.

Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody, the Warriors lottery picks in the 2021 NBA Draft, played the most minutes for the Dubs on Friday, Kuminga, in 26 minutes of action, recorded six points, three assists, a rebound and a block. Moody, in 25 minutes, recorded five points, two assists, one rebound and a steal in the nine-point victory, highlighted by first quarter no-look pass to Kevon Looney.

The Warriors will play one more game against the Wizards in Japan on Sunday afternoon (10 p.m. PDT on Saturday; NBA TV). The team will then return home for training camp and host three preseason games at Chase Center, facing the Los Angeles Lakers (Oct. 9), Portland Trail Blazers (Oct. 11, first 10,000 fans receive a Stephen Curry Mystery Bobblehead from the 2021-22 Championship season) and Denver Nuggets (Oct. 14) before the regular season opener at Chase Center on Oct. 18 against the Lakers, which will also mark Champions Ring Night, presented by Chase Freedom Unlimited. Tickets are available now for all 2022-23 Warriors home games.