The News-Times (Sunday)

Wizards say John Wall ‘likely’ to have surgery on left heel

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Washington point guard John Wall has been told that he needs surgery to address bone spurs in his left heel, a procedure that would keep the five-time All-Star sidelined for at least six months.

Wizards coach Scott Brooks said it is “likely” that Wall will have the surgery, though the team’s medical staff was still collecting informatio­n and going through all possible options with their point guard before finalizing any decision. The Wizards were at home for a game with Charlotte on Saturday night.

“I’ve been with him for almost three years,” Brooks said. “He’s as tough as they come. He never complained. He wanted to compete for his team, but it got to a point where he had to make some tough decisions. And that’s why he met with a specialist.”

Wall has yet to address the surgical option publicly. He walked through the Wizards’ locker room Saturday night with a gray protective boot on his left foot. The Wizards tried to manage his pain situation by limiting him in some practices and shootaroun­ds, but rest is no longer the best option.

Wall went to Wisconsin to see Green Bay Packers associate team physician Dr. Robert Anderson on Saturday. Surgery and other options were discussed at that meeting with Anderson, who is considered an elite doctor when it comes to athletes dealing with foot and ankle problems.

Wall played in 32 of Washington’s 36 games this season entering Saturday, averaging 20.7 points and 8.7 assists even while dealing with the heel pain — which has been an issue for him many times over the past two to three years.

Wall was limited to 41 games last season, mostly because of surgery on his left knee. He also underwent surgeries on both knees in 2016.

His absence means the Wizards are now without the point guard and center that they envisioned having when the season began. Dwight Howard has been limited to nine games because of lumbar surgery, and is likely to be out for another couple months at least.

“We’re here to win games,” Brooks said. “We’re not here to make excuses. I’ve never made an excuse as a player, and I’ve never made one as a coach, and I’m not going to start now. I don’t like it. I don’t like that our center is out, I don’t like that if it happens that our point guard is out. It’s not a good combinatio­n to have. But it gives everybody an opportunit­y, including myself, to grow and figure out things on the fly.”

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