It was just four days ago that Boston Celtics point guard Kemba Walker was stretchered off the court during a game against the Denver Nuggets due to a neck injury. Despite that, it appears Walker is set to return to action Wednesday against the Brooklyn Nets, having earned a probable designation.
#NEBHInjuryReport for tomorrow vs Brooklyn:
Gordon Hayward (left hand fracture) – OUT
Romeo Langford (right ankle sprain) – OUT
Daniel Theis (illness) – QUESTIONABLE
Kemba Walker (neck sprain) – PROBABLE— Boston Celtics (@celtics) November 26, 2019
It was the best-case scenario for Walker, who has missed just one game due to what has been officially deemed a neck sprain. The team was able to hold off the Sacramento Kings for a one-point victory Monday, with Marcus Smart shifting over to start at the point guard spot in Walker's absence.
Article Continues BelowDuring the summer, Boston had their franchise shaken up with the departure of Kyrie Irving heading to Brooklyn. Now the stakes behind the first meeting since Irving left for an Eastern Conference rival have been cranked up even further with Walker expected back in the mix to check Irving defensively.
While Walker's personal statistics are down slightly from his last few years in Charlotte, Boston has stormed out of the gates to a 12-4 mark, good for a share of second place in the Eastern Conference standings. At 3.4 made threes per game across his first 15 contests, Walker currently sits fourth in the league in makes on a nightly basis.
Walker's return is likely to push Smart back to the off-guard spot, while Brad Wanamaker will have his role as a reserve reduced. As the team continues to try to stay afloat in the absence of Gordon Hayward, assume that Walker being able to suit up means that he will be a 100 percent go for his usual offensive workload.