Walker back tonight vs. Nets
If all goes as hoped and planned, Kemba Walker will be back in uniform Tuesday night when the Celtics host Brooklyn.
But it will be LEK (limited edition Kemba) as he returns from five games out with left knee soreness. And if he goes against the Nets, it’s a fair lock you won’t be seeing him the next night in Cleveland.
In more of a question for Tuesday are the statuses of Jayson Tatum and Marcus Smart, both of whom were sick and missed practice. “I don’t have any idea,” is how Brad Stevens put it when asked about their chances of playing.
But Walker looked ready after Monday’s practice.
“Kemba got through everything today,” Stevens said. “The plan, should he feel good (Tuesday), would be that he would be limited.”
Limited in minutes, but not necessarily in his game.
“Obviously the stats are the stats,” the coach said. “But there’s eight to 10 points per game that they’re not really organized points from anybody.
“He just has the ability to make plays with very simple spacing because of his speed, quickness and skill. I think that you can tell in games like we’ve had over the last week where it’s hard to score at times, that’s when you miss his burst and that motor.”
Walker expects those qualities to be present, noting that the swelling in his knee is completely gone. As for the limited playing time?
“No, I’m playing above 40 minutes,” he said, adding with a smile. “I’m just playing. I don’t know. It’s up to Brad, but it probably won’t be too much time. We’ll take things slow, but I’m excited to get back out there.
“It’s hard. It’s going to be tough playing limited minutes, but it’s all about the long haul and being healthy when it counts, so that’s what I’m looking forward to — just working my way toward getting healthy as we get toward the end of the year.”
Walker added that he is trying to wrap his head around perhaps not being able to play both ends of back-to-backs.
“Like I said, this is all different. I’ve had a blessed career as far as health thus far, but this year has been a little up and down,” he said. “But like I said, it’s about me understanding what this is about and being able to compete at a high level for the playoffs. That’s really all I’m thinking about.”
The knee issue had caused Walker to miss four games prior to this latest stretch. He returned for four games, including 46 minutes in the double-overtime win over the Clippers, then played more than expected in the All-Star game. The knee has since been drained and he’s been under heavy care. But he doesn’t anticipate a problem going forward.
“It’ll be fine,” Walker said. “I’ll be fine. I’m just really being cautious. Just busy taking care of myself, that’s really it. I can’t really take any days off. I can’t skip any treatments, any lifts. Just stay on top of it. I’ll be good.
Coronavirus concern
The Celtics are like everyone else in that they’re trying to acquire information on the coronavirus. Team physician Dr. Guy Napolitana addressed the team Monday.
“We just had doc in here today to talk about it, to give the facts about it,” said Stevens. “We’re treating it from our standpoint a lot like we would if a player got the flu, if somebody were to come down with it, and he gave all the facts and all the data and the stats and how we treat it, how to avoid it.”
Of Portland’s CJ McCollum‘s idea that it might be time to suspend the signing of autographs during this time, Stevens said, “You could say that about the flu, too. You could say that about anything, so… just wash your hands a lot. Obviously you’re hopeful that it doesn’t hit anybody, but inevitably I think all our medical facilities here will be well prepared for that.”
Walker was aware of McCollum’s comments and said, “I might be with him. I don’t know. It’s getting serious, I’ll tell you that much. Everyone just needs to be a little cautious about that virus.”
Coach Brad on Mayor Pete
Stevens no longer has a doppelganger running for president now that Democratic candidate Pete Buttigieg has dropped out of the race.
“I thought he was great throughout all of his running, and I was kind of surprised he dropped out right now,” Stevens said. “But obviously I’ve got a lot of respect for him.”