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If Boston Celtics fans are feeling a bit anxious about the status of Kemba Walker's knee, this should help ease some concerns.
The All-Star point guard showed some signature burst in his first scrimmage with his teammates in the Orlando bubble on Sunday. After receiving a pass from Jaysom Tatum, Walker sizes us Phoenix Suns center DeAndre Ayton and attacks, taking a hit and nailing a tough layup, and the foul.
Kembaaaaaaa pic.twitter.com/Y79YtoCZTg
— Dan Greenberg (@StoolGreenie) July 26, 2020
According to Celtics head coach Brad Stevens, Walker's explosiveness was on display at Saturday's practice, as well. “His burst is back. He looks good,” Stevens said.
Walker started for Boston alongside Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward, and Daniel Theis—likely the unit they'll go with when the playoffs begin. Stevens said it's too early to project any rotations, yet, considering all the unusual circumstances.
On Thursday, Walker said his knee “did get better over the break” after initially having some issues after arriving in Orlando. “When I came back, it started to both me. Now I feel good…I think I'm going to be fine.”
Boston will immediately be challenged, as it resumes its season on July 31 in a matchup with the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks (53-12). At 43-21, Boston currently occupies the no. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, though their youth and depth has many expecting Brad Stevens' group to bounce-back from the unexpected four-month layoff easier than other contenders.
Walker was selected to his fourth consecutive All-Star game in his first season in Boston after signing a four-year, $141 million contract one year ago. The UConn legend was averaging 21.2 points and 4.9 assists as lingering knee woes limited him to 50 games.
