Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Washington Wizards guard John Wall is
expected to make his long-awaited season debut when the team hosts the Atlanta
Hawks on Saturday.
Wall, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2010 draft who's been sidelined since late
September due to a stress injury to his left patella, has been practicing
without restrictions all week and told reporters Friday he is feeling no pain
or soreness in the knee.
Head coach Randy Wittman confirmed on Friday that the team plans to have Wall
active for Saturday's matchup, though the talented young guard will be placed
on a minutes limit initially.
"His conditioning is going to be a thing that I make sure I keep a good eye
on, that when I see the point of exhaustion, I've got to get him in and out,"
said Wittman. "I'm sure after talking to the doctor, from a minutes
standpoint, I think we'll probably have something there initially and as he
moves forward."
Over his first two NBA seasons, Wall has averaged 16.3 points, 8.2 assists and
1.6 steals per game.
Forward Trevor Booker, out since mid-November with a strained knee, is also
expected to play for Washington on Saturday.
The Sports Network