Kemba Walker will not be on the floor Friday when the Boston Celtics play their first game after the All-Star break.
According to The Athletic’s Jay King, Walker will be out with knee soreness against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The ailment sidelined Walker earlier in February for the Celtics’ first three games of the month. In the team’s last four games before the All-Star break, Walker averaged 18.8 points per game, 5.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists.
The Celtics will begin a four-game road trip against the Timberwolves, with tip off set for 8 p.m. EST. at the Target Center.
As one of the league’s top guards, Walker could be the difference in the playoffs for the Celtics, a team loaded with guards and wings who can produce offensively.
Kemba Walker (knee) has been ruled out of tomorrow’s game in Minnesota.
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) February 20, 2020
Walker is the Celtics’ second-leading scorer behind Jayson Tatum, scoring 21.8 points per game and shooting 42.9% from the field. Including Walker, the Celtics have five players averaging double figures in scoring.
The Celtics having multiple players who can score is arguably their best attribute and it makes them one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. Boston currently sits at third place in the conference.
As they prepare for this last stretch of the season, their success on the offensive end will have to be elevated, as conference foes such as the Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors look to gear up for the playoffs as well.
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