The Boston Celtics are already without Jaylen Brown ahead of Saturday's game against the Phoenix Suns. Now, they might lose their starting point guard. Kemba Walker is questionable to play due to knee soreness, according to Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston:
Injury report addition: Kemba Walker, sore left knee, is now questionable.
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) January 18, 2020
Walker missed three games at the beginning of January due to flu-like symptoms. And now it appears his knee could force him out of the action on Saturday.
The 29-year-old is coming off a ridiculous performance against the Milwaukee Bucks in which Walker almost single-handedly kept the Celtics in the game. Walker scored 40 points on 14-of-23 shooting while also adding 11 rebounds as Boston came up just short.
Celtics youngsters Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have each increased their scoring load this season. But Boston's offense still seems to revolve around Walker. The three-time All-Star excels at playing off the ball, but he is also the Celtics' most capable slasher and playmaker, especially in the half court.
Head coach Brad Stevens admitted Walker's performance was the only reason his team stood a chance of beating the Bucks (from NBC Sports Boston via Yahoo Sports):
“He's awfully special,” Stevens said in his postgame comments. “He was the only reason we had a chance.”
Walker's play and praise is notable for the Celtics, who brought in the Bronx native to replace Kyrie Irving this past summer. Whereas Irving continues to struggle with the Nets in Brooklyn, Walker is helping to propel the Celtics back to the top of the Eastern Conference.
Boston have lost five of their last seven, but they are still third in the East. The Celtics will be cautious with Walker, who might hold the keys to their success.
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