For John Wall, returning to Washington, DC, for the first time since the Wizards traded him to the Houston Rockets, it brought with it the standard emotions, but it also brought something different: closure.
“I think I talked to The Athletic about what I wanted to let go of my chest and the past could be the past,” Wall said following the 131-119 defeat against the Wizards on Monday. “Other than that, I’m not really talking about the Wizards or anything like that anymore.”
Wall referred to an interview he did before his return game, in which he said he felt there was a lack of honesty and transparency from the Wizards’ front office that led to the trade that sent him to Houston in December. has in exchange for Russell Westbrook.
Wall said his memories of his time in Washington will focus more on his involvement with the community, where he plays a fixed role in various programs.
‘I have wonderful things I did, and I want to keep doing them, even if I was with Miyah [a 6-year-old girl Wall befriended who died of cancer in 2015], Bright Beginnings, my adopted school of Ketcham Elementary. The fifth-graders know that I have an agreement with them, that I want to continue, “he said. I have the [NBA] Community Assist Award help DC
“These are the things I will continue to talk about, but all with the Wizards or how the trade went down or something, the article was the last time I would talk about it. I’m past it and moving forward with my new franchise. ‘
The Wizards showed a tribute in the first half acknowledging Wall and his ten years with the franchise, especially his work in the DC area. But without fans in the building, it would not have had the same weight as a typical return match – especially for a favorite like Wall, who would normally hold out.
“It was tough. I played for the fans; I played for the city,” Wall said. “I’m an emotional and passionate person. I’m been ten years old. I wanted to see those guys and see them here to support me.
“It was definitely hard to have my first game in DC with my mom in the stands as well,” Wall said of his late mother, Frances Pulley. “She was there with me forever, and it was hard to know she was not here. She was probably in row 10, section G – or in the front row, if she felt healthy. I did not have the opportunity. “But I know she’s looking at me and is very proud of me for the return I had. But it would have been foolish to see her there.”
Wall scored 29 points to pass with 11 assists in 35 minutes, but with key Houston players (Christian Wood, Victor Oladipo, PJ Tucker and Eric Gordon) the Wizards pulled away in the second half for the sixth consecutive loss to the Rockets to hand over. .
It was the second time Wall had played against his former team, diluting some emotions.
“It was really cool. I was not worried about it. We’ve played them once before,” he said. “I think it would have been different if the fans were there, but the fans weren’t there. It was good to compete and see some guys I messed with. That was it.”
Despite no fans, Wall said it was nice to see familiar faces in the arena, but he regrets the missing.
“I know a few people today in this arena who have been supporting me since my child for ten years, whom I did not get a chance to see because they were fired due to the pandemic,” Wall said. “I wish them all the best. I know they played a big part in becoming a young boy for a grown man.
“If I get the chance again next year and there are fans, I definitely want to get the people in the stands. I will look forward to buying a lot of tickets for people who have looked after me and helped me grow. To whom I am today is and let me know that I have not forgotten them. ‘
Wall got the energy going early, playing an electric first half and scoring it with a signature, rising left-handed dunk, which ended with a loud scream. Wall scored 22 of his 29 in the first half, but with the attacking burden falling almost entirely on him, the Rockets could not keep up with the firepower of the Wizards.
Bradley Beal scored 37 on 14-of-24 shooting for Washington, while Westbrook added another triple-double to the books: 16 points, 13 rebounds and 15 assists.
“We go after it. We compete. We watch each other, push each other,” Beal said of his former teammate Wall. “Even tonight we push each other, we say to be better, to protect each other. It’s just competitive. It’s just who we are; it’s our nature. I think that’s what pushed us quite a bit to be who we are. , who we both are today, and it’s a beautiful thing.
“I’m definitely looking forward to competing against him for the rest of my career, as crazy as it may sound.”
At several points during the game, Wall chatted with Beal and laughed. The two built a background bond, grew up together and developed their partnership to become both guards at the All-Star level.
“I think he embraces it. He enjoys it,” Wall said of Beal. “I think he wishes he was on the other side to be with me there, because of all the hard work and dedication we have done over the last two years.”
Wall missed the entire previous season due to the broken Achilles tendon suffered in February 2019, which left many people wondering what kind of player he would be when he returns. It was a driving force in the exchange for Westbrook, with Wall’s solid contract and health concerns over his future.
But the 30-year-old guard returned to a high level with an average of 19.5 points and 5.9 assists per game for the Rockets. Asked if he likes to show what he can still do and what he could possibly do with the Wizards, Wall was short and to the point.
“Yes. They see it,” he said. “They’ve seen it all season.”