Walker heats up again with 43 points

Kemba Walker scored 43 points, giving him 103 in his last two games, and the Hornets battled back to beat the Celtics 117-112 on Monday night.

Walker followed up his NBA season-best, 60-point effort in an overtime loss to the 76ers on Saturday night with another spectacular performance, scoring 21 in the fourth quarter and making 14 of 25 shots, including seven more 3-pointers.

Walker outdueled the Celtics’ Kyrie Irving, who finished with 27 points and 11 assists.

The Celtics entered the fourth quarter leading 87-84 and quickly stretched the lead to double digits behind Irving, who scored and was fouled on a drive.

But Walker refused to lose this time. The two-time All-Star scored 11 straight points in one stretch. Walker was 7 of 10 from the field in the fourth quarter, including 4 of 6 from beyond the 3-point arc.

Bulls GDenzel Valentine needs reconstructive surgery on his left ankle and will likely miss the entire season.