Washington, DC – Washington Wizards guard John Wall is expected to make his long-awaited season debut when the team hosts the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday.
Wall, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2010 draft who's been sidelined since late September due to a stress injury to his left patella, has been practicing without restrictions all week and told reporters Friday he is feeling no pain or soreness in the knee.
Head coach Randy Wittman confirmed on Friday that the team plans to have Wall active for Saturday's matchup, though the talented young guard will be placed on a minutes limit initially.
"His conditioning is going to be a thing that I make sure I keep a good eye on, that when I see the point of exhaustion, I've got to get him in and out," said Wittman. "I'm sure after talking to the doctor, from a minutes standpoint, I think we'll probably have something there initially and as he moves forward."
Over his first two NBA seasons, Wall has averaged 16.3 points, 8.2 assists and 1.6 steals per game.
Forward Trevor Booker, out since mid-November with a strained knee, is also expected to play for Washington on Saturday.
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