The season for Washington Wizards star John Wall hangs in the balance. Washington announced Wall had five non-displaced fractures in his left hand and wrist, putting his season - and the Wizards' second-round playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks - in jeopardy.
Wall was a late scratch for Game 2 against Atlanta because of his hand injury, and he could end up missing more games.
"Wizards guard John Wall underwent multiple examinations yesterday that revealed five non-displaced fractures in his left wrist and hand," the team announced Thursday on its official website. "Wall and the team are currently in consultation with multiple physicians and specialists to determine the best course of action and his playing status has yet to be determined. Further updates will be provided as information becomes available."
The biggest question going forward is how much time will Wall miss? ESPN reported the team won't be able to determine his status until the swelling in his wrist goes down. If Wall is out for even more than one game, it spells trouble for the Wizards. Atlanta used Wall's absence on Tuesday to even the series, and although it was a close game, the Wizards' chances of advancing to the conference finals are significantly lower without Wall.
The fifth-year guard is the focal point of Washington's offense. He's a dynamic playmaker who can sprint the length of the court in seconds and either find an open teammate or take the ball to the hoop himself. Although he can score (17.6 PPG), what the Wizards will miss most without Wall is his playmaking ability. Much of Washington's offense is predicated on Wall charging the lane, drawing in defenders and then kicking the ball out to an open teammate for an easy 3-pointer. In addition to losing that, they also lose their transition game without him.
Washington has weapons such as Bradley Beal and Marcin Gortat, but a lot of their scoring is generated by Wall. The loss of Wall would likely be the nail in the coffin for Washington's season.
As for Tuesday night's game, Wizards owner Ted Leonsis said it was Wall who made the decision not to play.
"He didn't think he could contribute," Leonsis said, according to the Washington Post. "I mean, if you can't dribble with your left hand, if you can't play defense with your left hand, if you can't drive with your left hand... So he did the right thing. And I don't know the outcome. I know they're treating it."
The Wizards-Hawks series shifts to Washington on Saturday for Game 3.
