Thomas Excited For Return to the Floor

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Radio: ESPN 980 (DC) and FOX 1370 (Baltimore)
Blogcast: Dave Johnson and Glenn Consor live blogcast at WashingtonWizardsblog.com

When the Washington Wizards' starting lineup takes the court tonight against the Dallas Mavericks, there will be a familiar face for the Wizards that was missed throughout the 2007-08 season. After having aortic valve surgery to repair a heart murmur, Etan Thomas has fully recovered and is expected to start at center tonight for an injured Brendan Haywood.

"I think it's going to be great, just getting my timing back and playing in an actual game," Thomas said on his return to the court. "I feel good and I've been working hard and playing hard."

It's been a long road to recovery for Thomas, who had the surgery on October 12th of last year. While the surgery repaired the leaky valve in Thomas' heart, the surgery required the doctor's to break Thomas' sternum. Following the surgery, it took just a few months before Thomas was cleared for physical activity, however, it wasn't until June that Thomas' sternum was cleared for full contact. Despite not being able to go through contact drills, Thomas rejoined his teammates in late January and continued to practice with them through the end of the season.

“I was impressed to see him come back last year," said Antonio Daniels on Thomas' return to the practice court. "To see him out there running up and down the court with us last year. Now he has a summer under his belt to get his wind back and I’m excited to see him. I’m excited to get back on the court with him. That just shows the type of person Etan is, he’s not a quitter.”

While the rehab process can be tough for any injured player, one of the toughest aspects for Thomas was the inability to help his teammates on gameday. After sitting on the bench and watching his team play short-handed last year due to multiple injuries, Thomas was motivated by watching the Wizards fight their way into the playoffs for a fourth consecutive year.

“It was really tough to sit there and watch and not be able to do anything, but it was also really motivational to be able to watch tapes of the games during my rehab," said Thomas. "It’s great to be back and to come down and work out with the guys.”

I think I speak for everyone when I say, it is great to have you back Etan.

INJURY NOTES:
Wizards
OUT: Gilbert Arenas, Brendan Haywood

NOTES
WashingtonWizardsblog.com will once again run a live gameday blog hosted by the Dave Johnson, the Wizards play-by-play radio announcer, for all preseason and regular season games this season. Visit WashingtonWizardsblog.com during any game and ask questions and chat live with Johnson and radio analyst Glenn Consor as they announce the game. You can also listen to Johnson and Consor announce the games online by clicking the "Listen Live" link at the top of every blog Gameday Blog...Following tonight's game, the Wizards will play tomorrow night against the Memphis Grizzlies at 8:00 p.m.