Washington Wizards guard John Wall will suit up and play in Game 5 against the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night after testing his injured hand during pregame, according to the team. Wall was initially considered a gametime decision after missing the previous three games in the series.
Wizards star John Wall will play in Game 5 against the Hawks
The Wizards point guard will suit up just 10 days after suffering multiple fractures in his left wrist.
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Wall first suffered the injury in Game 1 of the Wizards’ current second-round series against the Hawks. He landed on the wrist and hand during a second-quarter drive, but was able to keep playing and lead the Wizards to a win. He was held out of Game 2, which the Wizards dropped, and tests later revealed multiple fractures.
On Wednesday morning, Wall said he would meet with doctors then test his hand before tip, with the primary concerns being pain tolerance and confidence in his injured hand.
Wall warmed up before the game and decided he was ready to go:
Here he is. pic.twitter.com/lsEqSELLu5
— Todd Dybas (@Todd_Dybas) May 13, 2015 John Wall removed padding & shooting with no protective brace. If he plays, will have no minute restriction #wizards pic.twitter.com/oLaVXE6KEu
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) May 13, 2015 “It’s headed in the right direction,” coach Randy Wittman said on Sunday, via the Washington Post. “Again, we’re not to the point of him doing anything on the floor yet of that nature. But it’s heading to a situation where hopefully he can get a ball in his hand and see how that feels and you just take those steps like that.”
Before he got hurt, Wall was averaging roughly 17 points, 13 assists and five rebounds in 38 minutes per game. With him on the floor the Wizards were scoring 115.7 points per 100 possessions while surrendering just 100.1, per NBA.com. With Wall off the court, Washington’s offensive rating falls to 99.4 and its defensive rating largely holds steady at 98.4.
The series is currently tied, 2-2.
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