John Wall had trouble sleeping the night before as his heart and mind raced in anticipation of his Houston Rockets debut, a comeback from a two-year injury layoff that was delayed one more week by a quarantine required by the NBA due to COVID-19 protocols.
It had been 735 days, as Wall pointed out after the Rockets’ 122-119 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night in Houston, since he had last played in an NBA game. He had since undergone surgery to remove the bony spurs from his left heel that had bothered him for years, then another operation to repair the Achilles tendon that broke while recovering from ‘that operation; round selection by Russell Westbrook.
“He was fantastic, man, just to get out there and have fun,” Wall said after his 22-point performance, 6 rebounds and 9 assists to victory. “When I get between those four lines and once the ball touches my hands after jumping, I was fine. I was happy to be able to compete with some of the best guys in this league and [demonstrate] that I have the ability to be one of the best mainstays in this league. “
Wall said he feels “amazing” physically. He showed the speed and explosiveness of the elite that were key factors in his five-star consecutive appearance before injuries interrupted his career, scoring six of his eight baskets against the Kings in dunks or layups, including a couple on quick breaks from a single man.
“He looks like he’s back in his All-Star mode,” said Rockets center Christian Wood, who scored 21 points and 12 rebounds.
“He was extremely aggressive, playing and defending himself,” said Rockets superstar James Harden, who scored 16 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter. “He looked very, very good, especially for not playing in two years.”
Wall, however, readily acknowledged that there was also much room for improvement after his Rockets debut. He specifically noted his five turnovers and his three-point bad shot (2 of 8).
“Having 22, 9 and 6 isn’t bad for my first game in two years,” said Wall, who averaged 19.0 points and 9.2 assists during his ten-year tenure with the Wizards. “I can give myself a few pats on the back and I know I’ll be even better for the next game.”
Wall is beginning the process to develop a relationship with fellow dominant ball guard Harden, who wasted time in the preseason after his brief delay related to his request to be changed. Wall had to sit for a week, including the Rockets’ two-game trip, because he was a close contact of rookie Kenyon Martin Jr., who tested positive for coronavirus the day after cutting his hair at Wall’s apartment. .
“They haven’t been together and we’re still trying to figure it out: who has it and who plays off the ball,” Rockets coach Stephen Silas said of Wall and Harden. “With my help they explain it all on their own. This relationship needs to grow and improve every time.”
Wall presented the game ball to Silas in the locker room to celebrate his first victory as coach, but admitted he considered saving it for himself given the personal significance of the game.
“The first time I was head coach, I think he deserved it,” Wall said. “But I had a chance to save my shirt. Definitely, that goes in my trophy room.”