Angry Wittman denies Wall clashed with doctors
Washington Wizards coach Randy Wittman angrily defended John Wall on Friday, denying a report that the guard clashed with team doctors prior to sitting out Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Tuesday.
The Washington Post, citing sources, reported that Wall, who Thursday was diagnosed with five non-displaced fractures in his injured left wrist and hand, was upset with team doctors after he originally diagnosed with a sprained left wrist after crashing hard to the floor late in the second quarter of Game 1.
Wall remained in the game on Tuesday and said X-rays after the game revealed no breaks. Wall also said he got two opinions on his injury and was told it was just a bad sprain.
“What was reported today … is a flat-out lie about John clashing with doctors and the training staff,” Wittman said Friday. “That is unfair to this kid. That is so far from the truth that I’ve got to say something.
“That’s not fair to this kid or our doctors that are busting their a– to have something like that said. That’s not right. I have to stand up for those people in there.”
Wall on Friday said he has not ruled out a potential return to this series against the Atlanta Hawks, but that if he can’t be himself or has risk of making matters worse, he won’t return.
The best-of-seven series, which is tied 1-1, resumes Saturday.
Wall’s left hand swelled up considerably after Game 1 and he was unable to get the swelling to go down significantly. ESPN’s Britt McHenry reported Thursday that Wall’s wrist is too swollen right now to even evaluate and that the team needs the swelling to subside before determining his status.
Wall was averaging 17.4 points, 12.6 assists and 1.4 blocks in the playoffs and had four consecutive double-doubles before missing Game 2.
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