Wizards’ Wall to have season-ending heel surgery
John Wall puts on a show vs. the Lakers as he posts 40 points to go along with 14 assists in the Wizards’ big win. (1:30)
Washington Wizards star John Wall will undergo season-ending surgery to repair bone spurs in his left heel, the team announced during Saturday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets.
Wall, 28, is expected to be sidelined six to eight months before returning to full basketball activity, the team said.
Doctors determined the procedure is necessary for Wall to remedy an issue that has bothered him for more than a year. Wall on Saturday met with specialist Dr. Robert Anderson, who recommended the surgery.
Wall was trying to play through the injury, but it was getting worse, sources told ESPN, and opting to have the surgery now should allow him to return healthy for the start of next season.
“I’ve been with him for almost three years,” coach Scott Brooks said of Wall. “He’s as tough as they come. He never complained. He wanted to compete for his team, but it got to a point where he had to make some tough decisions. And that’s why he met with a specialist.”
Wall, who is averaging 20.7 points and 8.7 assists per game, has been able to manage the pain and looked like his All-Star self in some games this season, such as on Dec. 16 in Los Angeles, when he scored 40 points with 14 assists against the Lakers.
But other times, the pain and swelling made it hard to move, such as on Dec. 8, when the Cavaliers held him to 1 point. He then missed Washington’s next game two days later in Indiana.
The Wizards (13-23) entered play Saturday having lost three straight and five of their last six. Tomas Satoransky started in Wall’s place in Friday’s loss to the Bulls.