Boston Celtics point guard Kemba Walker is officially listed as probably on the team’s injury report after sustaining a (surprisingly) minor neck injury against the Denver Nuggets last Friday.
However, despite the three-time All-Star being physically able to play, Walker told reporters that he’s still unsure if he’ll be able to step on the court when they face the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday. This could be because he himself wants to be cautious or the team.
If Walker doesn’t suit up, sixth-year guard Marcus Smart will be the presumed starter after filling in for Walker in Monday’s win over the Sacramento Kings.
Boston could have be missing two starters against the Nets though, as center Daniel Theis was questionable heading into Wednesday’s shootaround. The versatile big man fell ill on Tuesday and its carried over into game day but he appears to have recovered.
Daniel Theis (illness) is good to go. He’s expected to play.
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) November 27, 2019
That’s a big boost for Celtics head coach Brad Stevens who will need Theis against Brooklyn’s athletic centers.
The Nets, for all their offseason hype, stumbled out of the gates as players try to mesh and hold each other accountable on the offensive end. However, they’ve caught their stride as of late, winning five out of their last six games.
Former Celtics guard Kyrie Irving — who left the team as a free agent — won’t be able to play for Brooklyn as he continues to recover from a shoulder injury that’s kept him out of the team’s past six games but expect there to be plenty of emotion on both sides, which could make for a spirited game between two teams hoping to make a deep run in the playoffs.