Wall, who already had season-ending surgery on his left heel on Jan. 8, will be sidelined for about the next 12 months after rupturing his left Achilles tendon on Tuesday. The Wizards said that Wall slipped and fell at his home last week. So, Cousins spoke with Wall on Tuesday morning. “It sucks. It’s unfortunate,” said Cousins who injured his left Achilles tendon last season with the New Orleans Pelicans. “But me knowing John as well as I do, I know he’ll overcome this. There’s no doubt in my mind about that. He’s overcome a lot more obstacles in his life. Just add this to the list.”
“I know John pretty well. He’s a mentally strong guy,” said Cousins, who played with Wall at the University of Kentucky. “I basically told him to prepare for the hard days because there’s a lot. Through it all, make sure you try to better yourself each day. Once that day is behind you, move on to the next regardless of the results. That was my advice. There’s no doubt in my mind he’ll come back.”
Isaiah Thomas: Praying for my brother @John Wall
Karl-Anthony Towns: Prayers up for my kentucky brother @John Wall 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Marcin Gortat: Crazy:(
Wizards guard John Wall will undergo surgery to repair a ruptured left Achilles tendon. The procedure, which has yet to be scheduled, will be performed by Dr. Robert Anderson in Green Bay, WI. Wall is expected to return to full basketball activity in approximately 12 months from the time of the surgery.
Wall had developed an infection in the incision from initial surgery on Jan. 8 (a debridement and repair of a Haglund’s deformity and a chronic Achilles tendon injury in his left heel that was also performed by Dr. Anderson) and he suffered the rupture after slipping and falling in his home. The rupture was diagnosed by Wizards Director of Medical Services and Orthopedist Dr. Wiemi Douoguih during a procedure to clean out the infection.
Shams Charania: Sources @TheAthleticNBA @WatchStadium: The NBA has granted the Washington Wizards an $8.6M Disabled Player Exception for loss of star guard John Wall. Washington has a March 11 deadline to use the exception.
Chase Hughes: The Wizards still haven’t heard from the league on the $8.6M disabled player exception for John Wall’s season-ending injury, I’m told. But, as I wrote the day they applied, they expect to get it. Also, still no guarantee they will use the money given their cap situation.
Shams Charania: Sources on @TheAthleticNBA @WatchStadium: The Washington Wizards have applied to the NBA for an $8.6M disabled player exception for loss of All-Star John Wall.
While his teammates were in Philadelphia, Wall was in Green Bay, Wis., to remove bone spurs in his left heel. Wall will need to rehabilitate for the next six to eight months, leaving the Wizards with only Tomas Satoransky and Randle as the point guards for the time being.
Candace Buckner: John Wall is undergoing surgery for his left heel today. Chasson Randle said the two have texted this morning before the procedure and Wall shared encouragement with Randle after his contract became guaranteed.
Some of this is out of his control. The whispers about Wall’s knees have been going around the NBA for years. Fewer people knew about the bone spurs that are now pressing up against his Achilles’, but he’s had those for years, too, and gone through a lot to suit up most every night he could. That should be praised.
Fred Katz: John Wall on his bone spurs: “Some days it would be great. Some days it would be terrible, couldn’t play.” pic.twitter.com/gSKg13D2RF
Chase Hughes: John Wall on who is almost certainly Stephen A. Smith: "You know who the guy is... It's like this, if you have a personal problem with me, come talk to me like a man... when you want to take things to a personal level, you can have a conversation with me 1-on-1 as a man."
Chris Mannix: Wizards make it official: @John Wall done for the season.
Wizards guard John Wall will undergo a debridement and repair of a Haglund’s deformity and a chronic Achilles tendon injury in his left heel. The procedure will be performed by Dr. Robert Anderson in Green Bay, WI, next week on a day to be determined. Wall is expected to return to full basketball activity in approximately six to eight months.
The procedure was determined to be the best course of action to relieve pain and inflammation in Wall’s heel after consultation between Dr. Anderson, Dr. David Porter of Indianapolis, IN, and Wizards Director of Medical Services and Orthopedist Dr. Wiemi Douoguih.
Fred Katz: Scott Brooks confirms John Wall is "likely" to have season-ending surgery on his left heel: "But as we speak, doctors and multiple specialists along with our doctors are confirming...And that's the news."
Fred Katz: Brooks on when he knew severity of Wall's injury: "I knew he was meeting with a specialist, and when you meet with a specialist, it's serious."
Tom Haberstroh: Am told that John Wall has a bone “spur stuck in his Achilles.” Surgery would shave down the bone spur in his heel and smooth it out.
Washington Wizards star John Wall is planning to undergo season-ending surgery to repair bone spurs in his left heel, league sources told ESPN. Wall, 28, is expected to finalize a timetable for the procedure in the coming days, sources said. Recovery could sideline the point guard for six months.
Doctors determined the procedure is necessary for Wall to remedy an issue that has bothered him for over a year. Wall met with specialist Dr. Robert Anderson on Saturday, who recommended the surgery. Wall was trying to play through the injury but it was getting worse, sources said, and opting to have the surgery now now should allow him to return healthy for the start of next season.
Albert Nahmad: Wizards have until January 15 to apply for a $9.6M Disabled Player Exception for John Wall. If granted, they could use it to acquire a player via signing (1-year only), trade (expiring only), or waiver claim (expiring only). But, at $6.5M over tax line, using it would be costly.
Bobby Marks: Some notes re: John Wall: * Insurance covers 80% of the salary or up to $275K after 41 games missed. * Washington could apply for a Disabled Player Exception worth up to $8.6M if the league deems Wall is out until 6/15.
Candace Buckner: DEVELOPING: After consulting with a foot specialist, #Wizards five-time all-star John Wall is contemplating surgery. If he does go forward with the procedure he will miss 6 to 8 months, The Post has learned.
Shams Charania: Sources: Washington Wizards guard John Wall is considering surgery on his injured left heel, which would sideline him six-to-eight months.
David Aldridge: Per source, @John Wall will see Dr. Robert Anderson, the foot specialist who is currently associate team physician for the Packers. Anderson has operated on several stars across multiple sports over the years, including @Stephen Curry, @Kevin Durant, @Cam Newton and Derek Jeter.
Candace Buckner: Scott Brooks on Wall's bone spurs injury: “I’ve been here three years and it’s been off and on but we’ve [#Wizards training staff] all been able to manage it. Two times in a row with me as a coach he’s been an all-star and he’s been an all-star three years prior to that. He’s been able to do it and sometimes there are times where he’s able to fight through and like tonight, he can’t do it.””
Fred Katz: Brooks said Wall will see the specialist "hopefully tomorrow," but did not specify a date or timetable for Wall's return. Repeated that the team will know more later.
Fred Katz: Satoransky starting for Wall, per Brooks.
Chase Hughes: John Wall is OUT and will see a specialist for his left heel bone spur. Markieff Morris is OUT with neck stiffness.
Fred Katz: Wall's bone spurs in his left heel starting to get particularly bad during the Wizards' loss at Cleveland on Dec. 8. He missed the Dec. 10 game at Indiana but returned to the lineup for the following one against Boston.
KC Johnson: John Wall is out vs. Bulls with sore left heel.
Fred Katz: John Wall said he's feeling well now: "Me? I'm good. I'm good now. Still a little cold, but I wasn't as bad as I was the other day. Got a lot of hydration."
Fred Katz: Wall is playing. Otto Porter out.
Chase Hughes: John Wall is out due to illness. He will miss his third game of the season. Tomas Satoransky is starting in his place. This should help the chances Ron Baker debuts.
Candace Buckner: John Wall and Markieff Morris both did not practice today... out sick.
Candace Buckner: Looks like John Wall, who is out tonight with left heel soreness, went through a pregame workout. Notice the shooting shirt...drenched with sweat. pic.twitter.com/FFlxkAPjox
Chris Miller: No John Wall tonight vs. #Pacers (Left Heel Soreness) #WizPacers #DCFamily #NBATwitter
Fred Katz: John Wall did not practice today, per Scott Brooks. Brooks said he’s feeling better with his illness (he was under the weather yesterday and missed shootaround because of it) but sat because of the bone spurs that have been bugging him. Wall’s status is uncertain for tomorrow.
Candace Buckner: John Wall spent most of the postgame sitting near his stall and using a device to massage up & down his left leg. He’s been dealing with a lingering bone spur in his left heel. He took five shots and three from the arc —Wall said the injury kept him from driving as he likes to.
Candace Buckner: Asked John Wall to explain what's going on with his left heel, something that he has been dealing with this season and in the past: “It’s just like a bone spur. … I probably shouldn’t have played, that’s my fault. But you learn from your mistakes.”
In their four postseason appearances together, Wall and Beal failed to make it to the second round this year for the first time. Their long-time goal has been to break through the second-round barrier and into the Eastern Conference finals. "For me [this] was upsetting [mostly] because I missed 40-something games," said Wall, who missed a total of 41 games this season -- 28 straight after he had surgery on his left knee in January.
Chase Hughes: John Wall said he sprained his right ankle right after Bradley Beal’s sixth foul and right before he scored 8 of the Wizards’ final 14 points. Add that to his legend.
Candace Buckner: John Wall said he didn't feel pain after playing 33 minutes today. "Nah, I'm cool."
Candace Buckner: Brooks announces Wall will not play tomorrow in Chicago. Tomas Satoransky back in the starting lineup.
Michael Lee: Scott Brooks: "John's playing." John Wall is starting & having no minute restrictions
Candace Buckner: #Wizards simulated high-pace, intense practices for John Wall to see if he could play with no restricts. And he's passed everything. Brooks: "We wanted to make sure he's able to push and come back the next day."
Candace Buckner: Scott Brooks on the 27 games without Wall: "Trust me, I didn't know how we would respond." "We still have a chance to be in the playoffs. We're in a good position. John is excited to come back and we're looking forward to having him back."
Candace Buckner: Brooks says the team is "open" for John Wall playing some back-to-backs in this final stretch. The #Wizards have three back to backs within this remaining seven-game stretch
John Wall: Barring something unforeseen, John Wall is expected to return to action Saturday vs. @hornets #DCFamily #WizHornets #NBA
Candace Buckner: John Wall is questionable for tomorrow’s game vs Hornets, per Brooks
Chris Miller: John Wall will dress tonight vs. @Detroit Pistons but WILL NOT play. #DCFamily #WizPistons #Soon
Candace Buckner: So, ummm. Yesterday #Wizards Coach Scott Brooks said John Wall would participate in shootaround and be listed as “questionable” for tonight’s game vs Detroit. Well, looks like the first part is a no go
Candace Buckner: John Wall will travel with the team to Detroit, go through shootaround on Thursday morning and will be listed as “questionable” for the Thursday night game.
Tom Orsborn: Brooks is talking at length about the plan for Wall to rejoin team. He said there will be an adjustment period, but "this time of the year, it's a good problem to have," getting a great player back. What a contrast to #Spurs' situation with Kawhi.
It had been so long since John Wall met with the media to discuss his left knee injury that a different version of the five-time All-Star stepped in front of the cameras to field questions about his recovery on Monday afternoon. [...] "I've been feeling great," he said. "I feel like I've shown what I have to do in practice. I'm going through all the protocols for things I have to do to clear what they want me to clear. But I have done mostly everything they have asked me to do so far."
Wall feels good about his rehab and the shape he has been able to maintain. Wall, in fact, has lost 10 to 15 pounds since his arthroscopic left knee surgery on Jan. 31. It wasn't his intention, it just happened. Though it came as a surprise, the weight loss could be beneficial as less pressure will be put on his surgically repaired knee. "I'm in better shape and not overweight. I just feel better when I'm playing on the court," he said.
Wall, though, does not plan to adjust his game for those factors. And he is not concerned about his style of play in terms of risking further injury. He was quick to point out that this left knee saga all began on a fluke play where he banged knees with another player on Nov. 7 against the Mavericks. "I'm just going to be John Wall. That's all I know how to do," he said. "When I have an injury, I don't think about it. I go out and play the same way I played before."
Washington Wizards point guard John Wall returned to full-contact practice Saturday, seven weeks after undergoing a debridement in his left knee. There is no timetable set for Wall's return, according to the Wizards.
David Aldridge: @JohnWall, as Scott Brooks said was likely yesterday, a full go for the first time at Wizards practice today, per source.
Candace Buckner: Scott Brooks said "there's a good chance" that John Wall practices tomorrow. "He's ready to take it to another level."
Candace Buckner: More on Wall: Scott Brooks said he wants Wall to get "a handful of practices" in before he's activated for a game. And what's a handful? Brooks: "More than one, less than 20." So. Yeah.
Candace Buckner: Scott Brooks on the *POSSIBILITY* of John Wall practicing w/ teammates later this week: "It’s not etched in stone but we’re leaning towards that direction. He’s feeling better each day and he’s coming back and feeling fine after a hard workout like yesterday.”
Candace Buckner: John Wall went through a "hard workout" on Sunday during the team's day off, according to Brooks. He recovered well, and planned to do some individual work following the team's practice on Monday
The Wizards’ commitment to Sessions could indicate just how long Wall is expected to remain out. After undergoing left knee surgery on Jan. 31, Wall has been sidelined for six weeks. Although he has progressed to participating in offensive drills with teammates, Wall has not played in a five-on-five scrimmage — which would be his final step before returning to the court.
Candace Buckner: Scott Brooks said John Wall was able to dunk today in his workout
For a little more than half an hour on Monday, John Wall joined the Washington Wizards starters, completing the next step in his rehabilitation process. Wall, who has spent the previous five-plus weeks recovering from left knee surgery, participated in a pre-practice workout. Along with four starters, Wall drilled through the team’s offensive script when no defenders were on the court. Wall split time in the point guard position with Tomas Satoransky and played off the ball in his first session working with teammates since undergoing surgery Jan. 31.
Candace Buckner: John Wall participated in 5 on 0 work with starters ahead of practice, per Brooks. “He looked good.” Worked for about 35 minutes.
Candace Buckner: Brooks on Wall working through 5-on-0: “This was just the next step.” Brooks said he’s progressing in right direction of taking contact.
Wall worked out on the floor in Miami about a half-hour before the Wizards visited the Heat on Saturday night. He's done some courtwork in the past as part of his ongoing recovery from knee surgery, and this session was a continuation of the process. "This Wednesday will be six weeks and we said six to eight weeks," Wizards coach Scott Brooks said. "It won't be six weeks."
June 30, 2022 | 9:42 am EDT Update
Joel Embiid wants PJ Tucker in Philadelphia

Jake Fischer on PJ Tucker going to Philadelphia: ‘I’ve heard Joel Embiid is on board, … also PJ’s agent resides in Philly. There’s one thing that I know for sure. He has wanted to get paid. He has been a journeyman in this league for years and years and years and years, a mercenary role player on all these contending teams. To my knowledge, I don’t think he’s made over 10 million a year. He’s wanted a double digit salary.
Kyrie Irving definitely considered taking the taxpayer mid-level exception to play for the Lakers

Jake Fischer: ‘Kyrie Irving definitely was considering taking the taxpayer mid-level exception to play for the Lakers before he opted in. That’s just the truth. He was definitely talking about it with people in his circle. And people on the league, we’re talking about that reality, because that was the only way for him to get to the Lakers this season.

The Lakers have a strong interest in retaining Monk, but it will depend on both his market and the quality of 3-and-D wings available to Los Angeles, according to league sources. Players the Lakers will target with their full taxpayer midlevel exception include Otto Porter Jr., Nicolas Batum, Gary Harris, T.J. Warren, Caleb Martin, Cody Martin, Mo Bamba and Danuel House Jr., according to multiple league sources. Players the Lakers will be interested in for the partial midlevel exception or minimum contracts include Nemanja Bjelica, Jeremy Lamb, Jevon Carter and Juan Toscano-Anderson, according to league sources.
Brittney Griner to be the subject of a 'show trial' in Russia, guilty verdict very likely

Brittney Griner’s trial for allegedly taking hashish oil into Russia is scheduled to begin Friday. At that point it will have been 134 days since the WNBA star was taken into custody while trying to enter the country through a Moscow-area airport. She faces 10 years in prison if convicted. But before the trial even begins, U.S. experts and officials say Griner will be the subject of a show trial, and a guilty verdict is almost a certainty. The entire exercise, they say, is a negotiation tactic to push the Biden administration into trading for her freedom. “It’s a foregone conclusion and the trial is to uphold the state and confirm the power of the state,” says William Pomeranz, the acting director of the Wilson Center’s Kennan Institute in Washington, D.C., and an expert on Russian law. “Justice is not the immediate issue.”
Sources close to Griner declined to say how she intends to plead, but experts say that with no chance of acquittal it would make strategic sense to just plead guilty now. That might cause headaches for the U.S. State Department and the White House, but it could make Griner’s life more bearable, and a deal to go home more likely.
June 30, 2022 | 9:08 am EDT Update
Kemba Walker, Pistons finalizing contract buyout

Adrian Wojnarowski: Four-time All-Star guard Kemba Walker and the Detroit Pistons are finalizing a contract buyout, sources tell ESPN. Once Walker clears waivers, he’ll join free agency.
Knicks targeting Isaiah Hartenstein

Jake Fischer: Sounds like Isaiah Hartenstein has another suitor: the New York Knicks. No guest, just taking your questions on @getcallin at 4pmET, to help set the table one last time before the free agency horn blares. Make sure to create an account and tune in: callin.com/link/EaFCnvABtD