The hopes the Washington Wizards have of climbing in the Eastern Conference playoff chase over the next few weeks will have to be done without All-Star point guard John Wall.
As first reported by Candace Buckner of The Washington Post, Wall will miss the next six to eight weeks to have a procedure done on his troublesome left knee. The procedure is a clean-up of the knee, which will take place on Wednesday and be done by Dr. Richard D. Parker, the orthopedic surgeon who did Wall’s knee surgeries in 2016.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the Wizards confirmed that Wall will have surgery tomorrow but did not issue a timeline for his return:
Wizards guard John Wall will undergo an arthroscopic debridement procedure on his left knee tomorrow following consultation with Dr. Richard D. Parker and Wizards Head Team Physician Wiemi Douoguih.
The procedure will be performed by Dr. Parker at the Cleveland Clinic Marymount. A timeline for Wall’s return will be provided following completion of the procedure.
TNT analyst David Aldridge reports Wall had the option for a clean-up procedure on the knee earlier, but opted for platelet-rich plasma injections to the injury in hopes he could endure the rest of the season. Wall still wants to play now, but “at some point you have to be realistic,” a source told Aldridge.
Buckner reports that Wall needed this procedure and that the guard did not want to put it off until after All-Star weekend. If Wall misses eight weeks, he will likely return to the lineup around March 27, when Washington hosts the San Antonio Spurs.
Wall will be out of the lineup starting tonight against the Oklahoma City Thunder (7 ET, NBA League Pass) and will also miss the 2018 NBA All-Star Game.
John Wall's latest knee procedure needed to happen. He didn't want to put it off until after the All-Star weekend, I'm told, so that he could get back in time for the playoffs.
Long end of the timeline has him returning March 27 when #Wizards play the Spurs
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) January 30, 2018
Update: John Wall's timeline is 6-8 weeks.
Knee scope is tomorrow and will be performed in Cleveland by same surgeon who did his knee surgeries in May 2016
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) January 30, 2018
Told @JohnWall had the option for “clean-up” procedure (@CandaceDBuckner first) on knee earlier but opted for PRP treatment in hopes he could get thru the rest of the season afterward. Still wants to play now, but “at some point you have to be realistic,” per source.
— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) January 30, 2018
DEVELOPING: John Wall will undergo a knee procedure tomorrow (described as a clean up). He will miss six weeks & will not play in upcoming All-Star weekend, The Washington Post has learned.
Story coming soon.— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) January 30, 2018
Washington Wizards guard John Wall could miss two months after a knee scope set for Wednesday, league source tells ESPN. @CandaceDBuckner first reported procedure.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 30, 2018
