John Wall was at the G League Winter Showcase last year, trying out, hoping to get back in the game.

He did the same thing this year, without stepping foot on the court.

The No. 1 pick in the 2010 NBA draft and five-time All-Star made his broadcasting debut this weekend, handling the analyst duties for a pair of games at the G League event in Orlando. He has not officially retired as a player but knows the time is coming when he’ll have to figure out what to do next, and broadcasting clearly appeals to him.

“I’m always going to critique myself,” Wall said. “I can get a lot better. I’m learning more and more, but for me, it’s talking about basketball — what I love to do. It’s what I do when I’m home, watching with my friends and kids.”

The idea was born in a fairly simple way. When he is home in Miami, watching games with friends or his kids, they evidently all end up telling him the same thing.

“They’re like, ‘Shut up and let us watch,’” Wall said.

With that, the notion of going to TV — where talking is encouraged — evidently made sense. He did a pair of games back-to-back on Saturday, basically broadcasting for five consecutive hours with only a 20-minute break between matchups.

Wall talked about the games the way an elite player would, breaking down defenses in real time, explaining mindsets and dropping in a few anecdotes. When an Iowa player got hit in the mouth during a game against Sioux Falls, Wall spent a minute or so telling a story about what it was like to go straight to the dentist from a game after a similar hit.

He said he enjoyed the opportunity.

“I was here last year working out for a couple teams,” Wall said. “I was on the other court, working out before games. That was fun. This was fun.”

Wall is 34, still looks fit, still works out regularly at the University of Miami and says he would give anything for one more chance in the NBA. He was selected for the All-Star Game in five consecutive seasons for Washington from 2014 through 2018, even while dealing with some injuries in that span — including ones necessitating surgeries on both knees in 2016.

But six years ago this week, the decision was made for him to have season-ending surgery to address issues with his left heel. He wound up tearing his Achilles tendon in 2019, needing another yearlong recovery process. He never played for the Wizards again and has been limited to 74 games since with Houston and the Los Angeles Clippers.

He could still play, too. Wall averaged 16.3 points and 6.1 assists in those stints with the Rockets and Clippers. An abdominal strain was the beginning of the end of his stint with the Clippers, and Wall hasn’t played a game since Jan. 13, 2023.

“You do all you can to take care of yourself, and injuries are still part of the game of basketball,” Wall said. “Yeah, I think about that. The time I had, I enjoyed. I get frustrated at times. But God don’t make no mistakes.”

Tatum’s big night matches Larry Bird

Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics started slowly, tussling early with the Chicago Bulls.

But the defending NBA champions came on and prevailed 123-98 on Saturday night, with Tatum’s 43-point, 16-rebound and 10-assist effort earning the five-time All-Star comparisons to former Celtics great and Hall of Famer Larry Bird.

Tatum’s third career triple-double was the first for a Celtics player that included 40 or more points since Bird scored 49 points with 14 rebounds and 12 assists against Portland in a 152-148 double-overtime win on March 15, 1992, according to the team.

Tatum emphasized winning is what matters most, but a little icing on the cake isn’t bad.

“Larry Bird is probably the best player to ever wear this uniform,” Tatum said. “So any time you accomplish something in the same sentence as him, it’s something special, even if you never reach that pinnacle.”

Bird finished with 59 triple-doubles in his 13 seasons with Boston. According to the Celtics, Tatum’s was the first for the team that included 40 or more points and 15 or more rebounds. Tatum’s effort also counted as his sixth straight double-double and 14th this season.

Briefly

Thunder >> Oklahoma City announced Sunday that they have signed Alex Caruso to a multi-year extension. Caruso’s agent, Greg Lawrence, confirmed ESPN’s report that it is a four-year, $81 million deal.

Magic >> Orlando center Moritz Wagner will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL in his left knee. Wagner underwent an MRI exam on Sunday to confirm the tear.