On Saturday, John Wall returned to the lineup, as the Washington Wizards beat the Charlotte Hornets clinching a playoff berth.
The Saturday afternoon matinée provided an exciting lineup. The return of John Wall was the first show, and the Washington Wizards clinching the playoffs the second. Both shows were a testament to the resiliency of this team.
After losing their first three-matchups against Charlotte, there was nothing sweeter than the Wizards beating the Hornets, 107-93, and punching their ticket to the postseason.
Before the game, coach Scott Brooks said that Wall wouldn’t be on a minutes restriction, but he wouldn’t play in back-to-backs.
He ended up playing 33 minutes today.
The return of John Wall
There was a quietness in Capital One Arena. A hush over the crowd waiting for something and someone. The names of the players would be called before tipoff. Then a roar rushed out as they called John Wall’s name. A roar that rattled the rafters and shook the court.
The five-time All-Star came out with his headband, signature smile, twists in his hair, and that steely glare.
There was no rust or trying to find his legs with Wall. He came out the gate with his first shot being a three-pointer. The razzle and dazzle that he has with the ball, the dance as he goes one-on-one with his defender were all still there.
He didn’t need to get acclimated to something that’s in his blood. There was no ‘give him a few games so he can find his rhythm’. The game doesn’t come to Wall, he is the game.
Bradley Beal knocked down an amazing six shots from three-point range. Five of those shots came off a Wall assist.
Wall never lost his uncanny ability of having eyes in the back of his head, or knowing where his teammate is going to be, before they get there.
He recorded a double-double with 15 points and 14 assists, including two shots from three-point range.
He did everything that was signature Wall. Driving to the basket fearless. Pretending to drive to the basket but kicking it out Beal for a three. Dishing the ball to Marcin Gortat for the dunk.
It was as if he never left. He reminded everyone that he is still here.
Raining threes on the bees
Beal lit up the Hornets from downtown, shooting 6-for-8 from long-range. He finished with 22 points.
Otto Porter also lit up the heavens with six shots from three-point range, leading all scorers with 26 points.
While Mike Scott also had two 3-pointers. Before this game the Wizards struggled offensively, today the basket appeared a lot larger.
The Wizards finished with 18 made threes, tying their franchise record.
Playoff ready
I wrote above that the fans were also “waiting for something” — the Wizards officially clinched a playoff berth. That is an amazing feat because they were without Wall for the last 27 games, and they continued on. Never taking their eyes of the prize.
Tomas Satoransky did an excellent job running the Wizards offense, and he continues to shine when he’s out on the floor with Wall.
Seeing those two on the court at the same time was a sight to behold. If you remember last season when Wall didn’t have backup, to Sato stepping up this season, he defied everyone’s expectations except his own.
This team should not be underestimated in any shape or form. They should be commended for not falling apart when Wall went down.
All the injuries, blood, sweat, tears, surgeries, all of it and they still reached the playoffs? This team is stronger than sometimes they get credit for. They have unfinished business.
The Wizards travel to Chicago to take on the Bulls.