The Washington Wizards got use to playing without John Wall last season, and they will have to do it yet again this season. It was announced on Saturday that Wall will undergo season-ending surgery to repair bone spurs in his left heel. The team confirmed this announcement while defeating the Charlotte Hornets, 130-126, Saturday night. The expected recovery time for the 28-year-old is six-to-eight months before he can return to any type of basketball activities. This surgery is to help Wall with an issue that has bothered him for over a year.
The point guard was reportedly trying to play through the injury, but if he undergoes the procedure now, he will be fully healthy for next season. He met with a specialist on Saturday to decide this, after the injury became too much for him to play through. There has been some swelling down there that was enough to hold him back, including the Cleveland Cavaliers holding him to just one point on December 8th. He missed the team's next game two days later against the Indiana Pacers.
Wall has averaged 20.7 points and 8.7 assists per game, showing signs of still being a top-notch player, including a 40-point, 14-assist performance on December 16th against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Wizards have still struggled, now at 14-24 after Saturday's win, which snapped a three-game losing streak. In a weak Eastern Conference, they do still have a shot at the playoffs.
Tomas Satoransky started in Wall's place on Saturday, and is expected to do so in the near future. Satornasky had 20 pints and six assists in what was his second straight start. He was also the team's choice last season when Wall went down. Washington will continue on without Wall when they host the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night.
The point guard was reportedly trying to play through the injury, but if he undergoes the procedure now, he will be fully healthy for next season. He met with a specialist on Saturday to decide this, after the injury became too much for him to play through. There has been some swelling down there that was enough to hold him back, including the Cleveland Cavaliers holding him to just one point on December 8th. He missed the team's next game two days later against the Indiana Pacers.
Wall has averaged 20.7 points and 8.7 assists per game, showing signs of still being a top-notch player, including a 40-point, 14-assist performance on December 16th against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Wizards have still struggled, now at 14-24 after Saturday's win, which snapped a three-game losing streak. In a weak Eastern Conference, they do still have a shot at the playoffs.
Tomas Satoransky started in Wall's place on Saturday, and is expected to do so in the near future. Satornasky had 20 pints and six assists in what was his second straight start. He was also the team's choice last season when Wall went down. Washington will continue on without Wall when they host the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night.
