Washington Wizards point guard John Wall has not played in an NBA game since Dec. 26, 2018 due to a litany of injuries, including–and most notably–a torn Achilles.

Wall might not be able to suit up this season, but Wizards head coach Scott Brooks said he is encouraged by the progress Wall has made in practice, per Fred Katz of The Athletic:

Wall is under contract through 2022, with a player option for the following season. The Wizards would like him to return to the floor as soon as possible, but they also want to protect their investment.

The 29-year-old previously ran a full-court scrimmage with Wizards player development staffers last week (via Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington):

Last week he began playing in three-on-three scrimmages. Now, this week he has ramped up to four-on-four contact games with members of the Wizards player development staff, plus teammate Johnathan Williams.

That's a notable step, as he is technically facing off with some NBA competition. And, as you can see in videos of the games, he is looking quite good.

Hughes also included a number of video clips showcasing Wall's performance in said scrimmages:

Even though Wall was merely scrimmaging with staffers, he still showcased plenty of the athleticism and creativity that made him one of the best point guards in the Eastern Conference.

The Wizards are between a rock and a hard place. They are still five games out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the East, but star guard Bradley Beal is starting to get frustrated.

Perhaps Wall's return would give the Wizards new life. At the same time, Washington could play out the remainder of the season and acquire a top draft pick while counting on Wall to return healthy next season.

Regardless, Wall is starting to get back in playing shape.