Wall accuses Hawks of trying to hit injured hand; invites them to 'come smack it' in Game 6
John Wall is fearless.
Wall managed to play 37 minutes in Game 5 despite five fractures in his left wrist and nearly helped his Washington Wizards to the win. Playing with a protective splint on his left hand, Wall was not the least bit hesitant.
He's playing again for Game 6 on Friday, and he's welcoming any challenges the Atlanta Hawks may want to throw his way.
The Hawks tried to capitalize on Wall's injury, forcing him left and taking away his right hand. But Wall claims that point guard Dennis Schroder took it a bit further, going as far as to tell swingman Kent Bazemore to smack his hand.
Wall had the perfect response to that suggestion Friday.
Wall said wrist/hand got hit a couple times: "Then Dennis Schroder told Kent Bazemore to smack me. And I was like, ‘You come smack it.’"
— Jorge Castillo (@jorgeccastillo) May 15, 2015
Schroder, however, denied Wall's accusation.
Dennis Schroder said he didn't tell Kent Bazemore to hit John Wall's wrist. He said he only told him to force Wall left.
— Chris Vivlamore (@CVivlamoreAJC) May 15, 2015
Injuries and all, Wall managed to score 15 points on 7-of-16 shooting, while chipping in with four rebounds, seven assists, four steals and a pair of emphatic blocks. He wasn't at his best (he coughed up six turnovers), but he thoroughly outplayed the Hawks' point guard combination of Schroder and Jeff Teague, which shot a combined 9-of-25 with 11 turnovers.
Wall will get his chance at redemption in Game 6. With Washington on the brink of elimination, Wall will have to be at his very best to force a Game 7.