Wall says he will play in All-Star Game after injuring right knee
When he left BMO Bradley Harris Center in Milwaukee late Thursday night, John Wall wasn’t sure if he’d play in his third All-Star Game on Sunday. He had bruised his right knee in the first quarter of the Washington Wizards’ loss to the Milwaukee Bucks and was hampered for the rest of the game.
Barely 12 hours later, the 25-year-old point guard was north of the border and said he will indeed participate in Sunday’s exhibition.
“I’m alright,” the former University of Kentucky star said. “I’m a little sore but I’ll be alright. I got my trainer here giving me treatment.”
Wall admitted the knee remains stiff but it has improved. He had said Thursday that he wouldn’t play if his movement was hindered like it had been in the loss to the Bucks, when he settled for 12 three-point attempts and converted three. He finished with 15 points on 5-for-19 shooting, 10 assists, and seven turnovers as Washington dropped to 23-28 on the season.
“I’m happy with the way I played at times,” Wall said. Sometimes I didn’t play well. But I’m not very happy with what my team record is. Being the leader and having the ball in my hands I need to do a better job of getting us wins in certain situations no matter if I’m having a career year…I would say with the way my season’s going, I’m happy, the way I’m playing. But I’m not happy that my team is losing.”
After a forgettable month to start the season, Wall is averaging a career-best 20.0 points and shooting a career-high 35 percent from three-point range. He is third in the NBA at 9.9 assists per game. His 30 double-doubles rank fifth overall and second among guards.
“It’s an honor,” Wall said of being named an all-start for the third straight year. “Just getting recognized by the fans, definitely by the coaches. It’s an honor to be here as one of the best players in the league. I couldn’t be in this position without my coaches and teammates and the city of D.C.”
This story was originally published February 12, 2016 at 4:06 PM with the headline "Wall says he will play in All-Star Game after injuring right knee."