https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/warriors/article/Warriors-James-Wiseman-out-indefinitely-after-17014023.php

James Wiseman’s return to the Warriors has been stalled yet again.

The second-year center has been experiencing swelling in his right knee and has been shut down indefinitely. He was slated to play in his fourth game with the G League’s Santa Cruz Warriors on Sunday.

“Both yesterday and today our training staff has put its head together with the doctors that have been working with James,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said. “Basically the decision was let’s take a pause because of the swelling in the knee. I feel terrible for James.”

Kerr said Wiseman is unlikely to join the team on its upcoming trip. A decision hasn’t been made on whether the soon-to-be 21-year-old will be shut down for the season.

The setback for Wiseman comes 11 months after he had knee surgery after suffering a torn meniscus that ended his rookie season. In mid-December, he underwent a second arthroscopic procedure to relieve swelling in the same knee.

Before Saturday’s news broke, it appeared Wiseman was taking steps in the right direction. He was practicing and traveling with the team. He was ramping up his scrimmages, which opened the door for a G League rehab assignment. And recently in three games with Santa Cruz, he averaged 17.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 20.7 minutes.

Kerr has preached patience whenever asked about Wiseman’s rehab. But many outside the organization had been hoping to see him suit up with the big club as soon as possible.

Golden State’s lack of size — their tallest healthy players are 6-foot-9 Kevon Looney and Nemanja Bjelica — and lack of frontcourt depth have been a concern throughout the season. The return of forward Draymond Green from injuries that sidelined him for 29 consecutive games has certainly helped address some of those issues. But having a healthy 7-foot, 240-pound Wiseman in the rotation would give the team an added dimension of height and athleticism at both ends.

Wiseman wasn’t expected to play a major role in the Warriors’ playoff rotation this season, as it’s unclear how quickly he has grasped team concepts or how effective he would be after missing so much time.

Golden State, however, probably didn’t need a high level of production from Wiseman straight out of rehab. The Warriors just needed someone who could add depth, play big and lessen the frontcourt load on Looney and Green. But with this latest setback, it appears the Warriors won’t enjoy that luxury for a while.

The number No. 2 overall pick has faced a considerable amount of adversity early in his career, but his teammates are proud of the way he has handled it.

“Knowing how much work he’s put in, how bad he’s wanted to play, having the game taken away from him for a second time after it happened in college, to be working through that and to be on his way back is great to see,” rookie Moses Moody said.

Who: San Antonio (27-44)

at Warriors (47-23)

When: 5:30 p.m.

TV/Radio: NBCSBA/95.7