For the first time since the blockbuster trade in December 2020 that sent him from the Wizards to the Houston Rockets, John Wall will play a game at his former NBA home of Washington, DC.
His return won’t be quite as emotional as it sounds, since the Wizards are among the many NBA teams who have yet to allow fans this season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But the Wizards will still run a tribute video, and Wall clearly expects it to be a meaningful night.
From Sunday’s practice, here’s what Wall said about his return:
I played them once already [in Houston], so that took a little bit off of it.
It won’t be the same, because no fans will be there. Definitely see some familiar faces [that] I can’t wait sit to see. If the fans would be there, it would be bigger emotions, to be honest.
Since his selection as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft, Wall played nine seasons in Washington and was an All-Star five times. He averaged 19.0 points, 9.2 assists, and 1.7 steals per game.
At the moment, though, Wall is more focused on helping his new team snap a five-game losing streak. The Wizards (7-17) have the NBA’s third-worst record, which would seem to offer an opportunity for the injury ravaged Rockets (11-15) to finally stop their slide.
“We know why we’ve been playing bad,” Wall said after Sunday’s practice. “Our defense has been [expletive]. It’s simple as that. Our defense has been terrible… and then you’re not knocking down shots.”
Monday’s tipoff at Capital One Arena is set for 6:00 p.m. Central.
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