Kemba Walker eyes return to Celtics tonight at home vs. Nets

If all goes as hoped and planned, Kemba Walker will be back in uniform tonight when the Celtics host the Brooklyn Nets.

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 today 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’s going to play off of pick and roll; there’s only one guy that can do that at that speed and that pace, right? He’s going to create a play off of his own ability that you just don’t have to account for with a play call or something to that effect.

“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.”

— Boston Herald (TNS)