NBA star breaks down after learning girl died of cancer

WASHINGTON -- Washington Wizards guard John Wall didn't sound or look like someone who'd just scored his team's final 10 points in Monday night's double overtime win against the Boston Celtics.

Instead, he broke down during a postgame television interview and was somber in the locker room on the day he learned that Damiyah Telemaque-Nelson, a 6-year-old cancer patient he befriended last March, had died.

"This game was really meant for her. It would've been an even tougher day to lose it," said Wall, who received the news via text message Monday morning and dedicated the game to his friend. "I just went into a mode where I didn't want to lose this game."

Wall also paid tribute to Telemaque-Nelson via Twitter:

"She's in a better place," Wall said. "I'll definitely miss my buddy."

Wall scored 26 points and the Wizards rallied for a 133-132 win over the Celtics in double overtime after squandering a 23-point third quarter lead.

"Yeah, it was a tough day for him," coach Randy Wittman said of Wall. "I thought he handled it well, but he was hurting at the end."