John Wall avoided surgery on left hand and wrist, 'doing great' in recovery

John Wall's Dougie is once again unimpeded by injury.

The Washington Wizards point guard suffered five fractures in his left hand and wrist during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals in early May and is now "doing great," head coach Randy Wittman said Thursday.

Incredibly, Wall was able to return for Game 5, playing through the injury for two games before the Wizards were eliminated.

Following the season, Wall said he hoped to avoid surgery, a wish that came true, according to Wittman. The fractures are expected to fully heal through rest, and Wittman indicated that Wall has had no problems so far this offseason.

A healthy Wall is paramount to Washington's success, as the depth chart at point guard remains thin through the first days of free agency. A solid team that appeared to peak around the playoffs, the Wizards lost Paul Pierce and will have to hope that further development from its young players and the additions of Jared Dudley, Gary Neal, and Kelly Oubre can make up for that absence.

The 24-year-old Wall can't be expected to take too big a step forward after coming off a second All-Star campaign that put him in the discussion for the title of best point guard in the East. He averaged 17.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 10 assists, and 1.7 steals, creating bevies of corner threes for teammates and setting the tone at the point of attack on defense.

Instead, it will be the pieces around him, like Bradley Beal and Otto Porter, who will need to show strides to push the Wizards to the next level. Wall, a gifted facilitator, should help a great deal in that respect, especially if he enters the season without limitations.