For much of the season, Washington’s John Wall has tried to play through heel pain. He only missed two games because of it, but the issue has slowed him and his efficiency has dropped this season. As has his effort at points. And with that, the Wizards are 13-23 and well out of the playoffs.
Wall missed Friday night’s Washington loss to Chicago and saw a specialist about his heel, and now he is considering surgery, according to multiple reports, a story broken by Candace Bucker of the Washington Post and confirmed by Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington.
DEVELOPING: After consulting with a foot specialist, #Wizards five-time all-star John Wall is contemplating surgery. If he does go forward with the procedure he will miss 6 to 8 months, The Post has learned.
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) December 29, 2018
Wall has been dealing with this issue for YEARS but it has reached an intolerable state this season.
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) December 29, 2018
In spite of playing on a bum left heel, Wall has averaged 20.7 ppg, 8.7 apg and 3.6 rpg. These numbers are comparable to last season, when he made a fifth All-Star team https://t.co/23QoJKnTcP
IF John Wall elects to have the surgery, he will miss the remainder of the 2018-19 season and will need the majority of the offseason to get work back into conditioning.
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) December 29, 2018
You have to wonder w/ the #Wizards being 10 gms below .500, is it worth keeping Wall on the floor?
Can confirm reports John Wall has been recommended by a specialist to have surgery on his left heel with a potential recovery timeline of 6-8 months. Team and Wall are weighing multiple opinions before making final decision. @CandaceDBuckner first.
— Chase Hughes (@chasedcsports) December 29, 2018
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Wall is expected to have the surgery.
Wizards star John Wall is planning to undergo season-ending surgery on his left heel, league sources tell @WindhorstESPN and me. Doctors have recommended that he undergo the surgery soon.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 29, 2018
Wall missed 41 games last season with a knee issue and didn’t want to sit out this season.
However, the heel pain was clearly impacting his game. Wall is shooting just 30.2 percent from three, has an 18.5 PER that would be his lowest since his sophomore season. More concerning, with the pain we have seen half-hearted cuts and effort off-the-ball ball on offense and defensive struggles staying in front of his man (how much of that is pain and how much is desire is up for debate).
Washington has been 5.1 points per 100 possessions better with Wall off the court this season.
Sure, Washington’s brass thought this was a 50-win team this season, but there comes a point where reality sinks in. At this point in what appears to be a lost season, getting Wall healthy may be the smart move. For everyone.
Remember, Wall’s five-year max concert extension kicks in next season.
What that means for the Wizards’ trade deadline and off-season also could be interesting. Wall is untradable, but does this make it less likely Washington would move on from Bradley Beal?
