Boston Celtics point guard Kemba Walker will not be playing in their Feb. 12 matchup with the Detroit Pistons due to a left knee issue, per Marc Stein of the New York Times.
The Celtics say Kemba Walker (left knee) is out tonight against Detroit
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 12, 2021
Walker has not played well since his return from injury. In one of his recent outings, he shot two out of 12 from the field and exited the game with seven points. The Utah Jazz would end up winning the game. Despite that woeful performance, Boston head coach Brad Stevens still trusts Walker and even referred to him as a “big part” of the team moving forward.
Walker is 30 years old and the game and Father Time are usually not too kind on smaller guards. Fortunately, his game is not solely dependent on athleticism and burst. Walker is officially listed at 6'0″, but Stevens had a bit of a slip up when he mentioned that Walker was 5'10” or 5'11”. Since he entered the NBA, Kemba is used to being one of the shortest players on the court and he has adapted his playstyle, so his height is not the reason for his struggles.
Walker clarified that his rusty play is not even because of his knee or any physical ailment. Instead, he attributed his struggles to being unable to get in rhythm yet. If this is the case, then it is just a matter of time before we see flashes of his All-NBA form. The Eastern Conference is shaping up to be more competitive compared to previous years and so the Celtics will need Kemba at his best so they can have a deep playoff run.
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