Washington Wizards guard John Wall had surgery on both knees, the team announced on Thursday. He is expected to be ready for the start of next season.
From the press release:
The Washington Wizards announced that guard John Wall underwent a successful procedure today to excise calcific deposits in his left patella tendon in order to eliminate pain and assist healing. He will begin the rehabilitation process immediately and is expected to be available for the start of the 2016-17 season. Wall also underwent an arthroscopic lavage on his right knee in order to remove loose bodies.
“I am determined to lead this team back to the playoffs and getting healthy is the best way for me to accomplish that,” said Wall. “I can promise the fans, my teammates and the organization that I will be focused on that goal throughout the summer and it will drive me to do everything I can to be ready for next season."
The procedure was performed by Dr. Richard D. Parker at the Cleveland Clinic Marymount following consultations with Dr. James Andrews, Dr. Josh Hackel and Wizards Head Team Physician Wiemi Douoguih.
“John’s procedure went very well and should allow him to play without pain once he has completed his rehabilitation,” said Parker. “We have worked closely with the Wizards’ medical and athletic training staff throughout this process to develop the plan he will need to follow this summer in order to resume his normal basketball activities.”
Here's Wall speaking moments before his procedures:
BREAKING: @JohnWall speaks just moments before knee surgery.https://t.co/SgRTB4NoBA
— UNINTERRUPTED (@uninterrupted) May 5, 2016
Both of Wall's knees gave him issues throughout the 2015-16 season, but he managed to play in 77 games and put up career-best numbers anyway. This announcement came out of nowhere, though, and presumably this means he won't have a shot at playing in the Olympics. Wall was on the 30-man roster, but arguably a longshot anyway because of the depth at his position. Here's more from the Washington Post:
Wall isn't expected to participate in Team USA's training camp this summer and might not be ready for start of Wizards camp.
— Jorge Castillo (@jorgeccastillo) May 5, 2016
It's now clear why Wall sat courtside for Game 2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers-Atlanta Hawks series on Wednesday. He was there to have surgery at the Cleveland Clinic.
Washington was one of the most disappointing teams in the league this year, finishing 41-41 and failing to make the playoffs. At season's end, the Wizards fired coach Randy Wittman and soon replaced him with Scott Brooks. With the coaching change and, ideally, a completely healthy backcourt -- Bradley Beal appeared in just 55 games -- they hope to make a huge jump in the standings next season.
