Boston Celtics point guard Kemba Walker will be out against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night as he heals from knee swelling that occurred when he returned from Boston after the All-Star Break. According to reporters, Walker had to have drained his knee drained, although his knee appears structurally sound.
Walker’s knee was likely aggravated after he played 29 minutes in the All-Star Game when he was on a minutes restriction.
Without Walker in the lineup, Celtics head coach Brad Stevens may opt to play guard Marcus Smart in his place. However, second-year guard Brad Wanamaker has proven he’s an able lead guard even though he’s yet to earn a spot start in his career.
Kemba Walker had a little bit of swelling when he came back to Boston. He got it drained.
“We’ll see how it goes from here,” Stevens said.
He’ll be out “at least tonight.”
Knee looks good structurally, but it’s something he’ll need to keep managing.
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) February 21, 2020
Walker has averaged 21.8 points, 5.0 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.0 steal per game this season, shooting 42.9 percent from the field and 38.8 percent from three-point range. The Celtics, boasting one of the strongest rosters in the league due to the breakout seasons of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown (along with the bounceback season for Gordon Hayward), have went 6-2 in games that he hasn’t played in.