An extended period of rest could be all the doctor ordered for the Washington Wizards. After upsetting the Atlanta Hawks in Game 1, several injuries hurt the Wizards in Game 2 as the Hawks were able to tie up the series. The primary concern is John Wall, who sat out of the second game after falling on his wrist in the series opener. Although Wall was able to return to the game, increased swelling forced him out of the lineup two nights later.

Bradley Beal also went down in a heap in the opening game of the series, but he, too, returned to close out the victory. Wall and Beal combined for 46 points, 14 rebounds, and 14 assists in the opening contest. Wall had the double-double and contributed 13 of the 14 assists, while Beal had a game-high 28 points. Ramon Sessions answered the call in Game 2 and scored a team-high 21 points as Wall's replacement. The eighth-year guard scored just five points in 17 minutes off of the bench in the Game 1. Paul Pierce and Otto Porter have made key contributions off the bench in both games for the Wizards.

As for the Hawks, Jeff Teague started the injury brigade after spraining his ankle in the early-goings of Game 1. He was not held out of the game for long and finished with 11 points and seven assists. Although he did not reach double figures in Game 2, Teague was affective in all facets. Paul Millsap and Al Horford have elevated their play against the Wizards and had the clear advantage over Nene and Marcin Gortat in the post. Nene has been held to a combined two points and seven rebounds in the first two games, while Horford notched a double-double in each contest. But it has been the story of DeMarre Carroll who followed a team-high 24 points with a game-high 22-point performance in Game 2. Thus far, Carroll has emerged as the X-factor and an aging Paul Pierce may not have the defensive prowess to keep him under wraps.

The fast-paced nature of the two teams will have a heavy influence on the series, as was noted in Game 1 with three injuries to star players. The Hawks have the ability to slow the Wizards' pace and, while both teams have very similar lineups, the Hawks have the advantage in terms of depth. Especially in the paint, Millsap and Horford have started the series strong and will force the Wizards to work outside jumpers with weapons other than Nene and Gortat. With three more days of rest before taking to the hardwood in Washington for Game 3, the Wizards will be banking on a return from John Wall. The Hawks, on the other hand, looked poised to take back home court advantage as Wall and Beal attempt to get back to full strength.

With nearly every playoff team struggling with injuries, the Wizards and Hawks have fallen victim early in the Eastern semis. Health will be the ultimate X-factor in a series that looks destined to go the distance. Paul Pierce will play a key role on the court for the Wiz Kids, while Horford and Millsap will battle for series MVP.