For the first time since being traded in 2020, former Washington Wizards cornerstone John Wall got to play at Capital One Arena in front of fans. Now a member of the Los Angeles Clippers, Wall visited the court he called home for nine seasons.
Before Saturday’s game, Wall embraced his former backcourt mate Bradley Beal.
Wall and Beal were in the Wizards’ backcourt together for seven seasons. Unfortunately, Beal sat out of the game with a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, Wall got a nice ovation from the Wizards fans when he got introduced as part of the Clippers’ starting lineup.
Then during a timeout, the Wizards played a touching tribute to Wall. Fans gave him a standing ovation. Wall looked on with emotions painted on his face.
Wall played nine seasons with the Wizards. Washington selected Wall with the first overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft. He became the franchise player and was embraced by the city and Wizards fans.
Many of them were heartbroken when the Wizards decided to trade Wall to the Houston Rockets in 2020 after he missed the 2019-20 season with a ruptured Achilles. He signed with the Clippers before this season after the Rockets bought out the final year of his four-year, $171 million contract.
“They always stuck there with me, that’s why I think I touched the city, and I feel like it’s home for me, because of how much love I get there,” Wall said, per Andrew Greif of the Los Angeles Times. “Super excited to go back.”
Wall returned to Washington during the 2020-21 season, playing for the Rockets. However, COVID-19 restrictions prevented fans from attending the game.
Despite his last time playing with the Wizards in 2019, John Wall remains the all-time franchise leader with 5,282 assists and 976 steals. He is also fourth with 10,879 points.
