John Wall has played through pain and injuries but he also realized he needed surgeries on both knees this past offseason.

“I wanted to get back to being healthy,” Wall said. “In my first six years I was never healthy. I battled through so much just to prove I could play. For me to have a decent six years was great. But now I’m back to where I can be myself and be the player I always wanted to be.”

Wall is playing the best basketball of his career at least on the offensive end of the floor. Wall averages a career-high in points (22.9 per game), shooting percentage (46.4%), foul shooting percentage (82.1%), steals (2.2 per game) and his assists (10.1 per game and third-best in the NBA) are just below his career-high.

Wall was asked if this is the healthiest he has been so far in his career. 

“By far,” he said. “Not even close.”

“I’ve only been around him for a few months now but it seems to me the game is slowing down for him and for a lot of players, there’s a moment that happens,” Scott Brooks said. “That’s happening in the last month – that he’s not rushing to make a great play. He’s letting his play become great with his patience.

“He’s a special player. I told him, ‘Let the game come to you, and you’re going to make a lot of special plays throughout the game.’ "