John Wall will not return to the court if the NBA resumes later this summer, but the Washington Wizards’ star guard gave a pretty encouraging self-evaluation of his rehab from a ruptured Achilles tendon.
“I’m 110% healthy,” Wall said on a conference call with reporters Tuesday. “Just still taking my time out to rehab, and luckily I have an opportunity to work out while I’m at home during this pandemic time, so I’m fine with that and getting myself in the best shape possible.”
Both Wall and Wizards coach Scott Brooks said in interviews this spring that Wall will not play any games in the 2019-20 season — regardless of when it restarts, if at all — but that his rehabilitation is coming along well. Wall had season-ending surgery on his left heel in January 2019, then ruptured his Achilles shortly thereafter when he slipped and fell in his home.
Wall has been following the team’s weightlifting assignments on an app called Bridge, and often rides his bicycle or his Peloton at home for cardio.
Though he won’t play until the start of the 2020-21 season at the earliest, Wall acknowledged he was “itching to get back out there” and said he didn’t know what to expect regarding the resumption of the NBA season.
“I think (commissioner) Adam Silver and them, and (NBPA executive director) Michele Roberts, whatever they come up with, they’re gonna do a great job with dealing with safety first for all of us players and our families, and take care of us,” Wall said. “And if they think it’s getting back to play, they’ll do that. If not, I think they’ll stop the season and prepare for next year.”
The NBA is in talks with Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, about a plan to bring its teams there as a hub city or “bubble” to resume practices and games. Wall didn’t know if he’d join the Wizards in the bubble if that plan were to be finalized and executed.
“I can’t think that far ahead, to be honest with you, because we don’t know if the season is going to get there, and if it does, I don’t know what the protocols the organization or our coaching staff want me to be on,” Wall said.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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