Friday marked the first NBA game for John Wall in two years. He hadn’t played in an NBA game since December 26, 2018 due to a ruptured Achilles. Now playing with a new team in the Houston Rockets, Wall wasted no time showing some of the speed he possessed prior to his injury.
On the opening possession against the Chicago Bulls in Houston’s preseason opener, Wall drove past Coby White to get to the rim for the early layup.
Wall wasn’t done. On Houston’s next possession he found DeMarcus Cousins off a pick-and-pop for a wide open three.
Wall also caught White with his patent lull-to-sleep hesitation move to get to the rim for his second layup.
Wall was also able to create separation off the dribble for a pull-jumper. He played 14 minutes in the first half, producing 10 points, six assists and four rebounds
It’s preseason and the first game. But his movement and ability to change directions looks promising. Wall is also playing his first NBA action not in a Washington Wizards uniform. He was traded, along with a 2023 protected first-round pick to the Rockets for Russell Westbrook on Dec. 2. Wall had spent the past 10 seasons in Washington as the Wizards franchise player.
