John Wall breaks Wes Unseld’s franchise record for career assists

Washington Wizards point guard John Wall broke Hall of Fame center Wes Unseld’s franchise record for career assists.

The former University of Kentucky star entered Monday night’s game against the Houston Rockets three shy of Unseld’s mark of 3,822 assists and tied it in the first quarter.

He then eclipsed Unseld, a Louisville native who starred in high school at Seneca and in college for the Cardinals, by feeding Bradley Beal for a dunk with 10:15 left in the third quarter.

The accomplishment was announced to the crowd at the following timeout.

Wall, who was ejected in the final minute, finished with 21 points and eight assists in a 114-106 loss. The Wizards’ record is 1-5.

“It don’t mean nothing to me right now, because I didn’t win the game,” Wall said. “But it’s an honor, and I have a lot of basketball left to play.”

Official Marc Davis explained the reason for Wall’s second technical foul this way via a pool report: “After granting the team a timeout, I felt that there was contact and that he bumped me. I wasn’t certain of his intent. I told him to watch himself. He looked over his shoulder and used vulgarity and inappropriate language.”

James Harden had 32 points and 15 assists for the Rockets. It was the fourth consecutive game with at least 30 points and 10 assists for Harden, who entered the day leading the NBA in assists at 12.3 per game and fourth in scoring average at 31.5 points.

Wall is in his seventh season in the NBA after being the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2010 out of Kentucky.

Unseld averaged 3.9 assists per game in 13 NBA seasons from 1968 to 1981.

This story was originally published November 7, 2016 at 8:45 PM with the headline "John Wall breaks Wes Unseld’s franchise record for career assists."