Wizards point guard John Wall starts Game 5 against Hawks

Wall has missed the last three games after suffering fractures in his hand and wrist.

Washington Wizards point guard John Wall started Wednesday night's Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Atlanta Hawks. He had missed the last three games of the series after suffering five fractures in his wrist and hand in Game 1.

Earlier in the day, the Wizards said Wall would be a game-time decision.

''He's moving in the right direction,'' Wizards coach Randy Wittman said on Tuesday. ''The swelling is down again. Minimal swelling. He wanted to dribble the ball a little bit. Get the feel of it here.''

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Wall participated in a shootaround earlier Wednesday and appeared comfortable shooting the ball.

Testing out the hand before Game 5, @JohnWall a gametime decision tonight #WizHawks #dcRising https://t.co/aJVDEZJpXv

— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) May 13, 2015

Wall was pivotal in Washington's Game 1 win, scoring 18 points with 13 assists and seven rebounds. The fifth-year point guard averaged 17.6 points and 10 assists per game this season for the Wizards. 

Washington is 1–2 against the Hawks in Wall's absence. The series was tied 2–2 entering Game 5 in Atlanta.

- Erick Fernandez and Mike Fiammetta