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Wall: Playing through injuries 'kind of caught up to me'

Michael Reaves / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Washington Wizards star John Wall suffered a major setback that will cost him the remainder of the regular season, and possibly all of 2019-20.

"I guess God is telling me something," Wall said of his ruptured Achilles, according to The Associated Press' Rich Dubroff. "To sit down and get yourself fully healthy. I've played through injuries my whole career. I know a lot of people who played through injuries and don't sit down. That's one thing I don't like to do. If something that's nagging or not broken, I want to play. I guess it kind of caught up to me."

The electric point guard initially underwent season-ending surgery to repair his chronic Achilles issues on Jan. 8, which led to a recovery timeline of six-to-eight months.

His recent fall at home only added to his troubles, as a team doctor discovered he'd ruptured his Achilles during a follow-up procedure to clean out an infection, pushing his timeline to 11-to-15 months.

"I didn't want to hear it," Wall said. "I'm kind of glad it happened now instead of when I’m four or five months ahead in recovery, trying to get back on the court, and it happens then."

Wall inked a four-year, $170-million max extension after a career year in 2016-17. The 28-year-old made the All-NBA third team and averaged 23.1 points, 10.7 assists, and two steals in 78 appearances. His contract doesn't kick in until the 2019-20 season.

The five-time All-Star has been dealing with nagging injuries since, playing in just 41 games in 2017-18 before suiting up 32 times this season.

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