According to the Charlotte Observer’s Rick Bonnell, who covered Walker during his eight seasons with the Hornets, the tricky part will be getting Walker to buy into a slow ramp-up. “Kemba is so tough that he is genuinely his own worst enemy,” Bonnell told NBC Sports Boston co-hosts Chris Forsberg and Kyle Draper on a new Celtics Talk Podcast. ” … Kemba was determined to play all 82 games in the season before this, and he did. That was not a good idea. It was a pride thing to him. In the long haul, that doesn’t make sense. “There were definitely times when (Hornets coach) Steve Clifford would say to Kemba, ‘Look, you need to tell us when you’re not feeling right and that knee is bothering you, and let us be party to the decision about whether you should sit down for a game or two.’ “
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"Kemba is the toughest little cuss I know, and I love him for that," Bonnell said. "But that means that sometimes he does not do what's in his own long-term best interest. He is not going to complain, and he's going to be the last person to say, 'I can't go tonight.' "
Bobby Manning: From Brad Stevens today: Kemba Walker status for opening night uncertain. "It'll be some time before he's going full speed."
Chris Forsberg: Kemba Walker went through, as Brad Stevens put it, “all of our 12 minute practice.” Expected to be full go in Game 2 after tweaking that knee in Game 1.
How did how does the knee feel right now? And as you project forward to the playoffs? Do you see it being any kind of, you know, inhibition to your ability? Kemba Walker: Well, it feels good man. That's me being completely honest. You know, the whole reason I'm only stretching is to see how it reacts after every game. And it's been it's been doing well and it's me feeling better and better after every game, so I'm definitely trending upwards. I think I'm gonna be fine. I think I'll be fine.
Mark Murphy: Kemba Walker on why he's on knee-related minutes restriction now: "I had a long summer playing USA basketball. Free agency, everything. Just everything. It was a different year for me. Coming in here, coming into Boston, my offseason was a lot different actually last summer."
Those already concerned about Kemba Walker's knee probably did a double-take when Kendrick Perkins implied Tuesday that the Boston Celtics had "lost" their star point guard to injury. During an interview Wednesday on 98.5 The Sports Hub's "Zolak & Bertrand," head coach Brad Stevens sung a very different tune when asked about Walker's health. "His knee is the strongest it's been since he got here in September," Stevens said.
Chris Forsberg: Brad Stevens on Kemba Walker: "Came out of Sunday feeling well.” Stevens said Walker will not play tonight. "Lot of guys won’t play tonight” then lists Smart, Hayward, Tatum, Brown, Theis and Kanter as also out.
Chris Grenham: Brad Stevens confirms Kemba will be on a minutes restriction when seeding games begin, but said he was encouraged by his performance and burst today.
Jay King: Brad Stevens said Kemba Walker “recovered great” from playing live yesterday. He’s expected to go live again tomorrow at practice.
Tim Bontemps: Brad Stevens said Kemba Walker went through the first hour of practice, but didn't do anything live. The plan is for him to be re-evaluated tomorrow, with the expectation to practice live Thursday and then not play Friday against the Thunder.
Chris Forsberg: Brad Stevens makes note as Kemba Walker runs by near his Zoom conference. “Kemba just flew by us … We all saw his change of speed … Kemba’s getting better, feeling good.” Said only player that’s been out otherwise in ORL is Tremont Waters, who is in the concussion protocol.
However, that mindset may have come back to bite him in Boston over the course of this season so far. He returned quickly on three different occasions during the 2019-20 season after experiencing knee pain and struggled in all of those returns before the season was suspended on March 11th. With pain popping up again at the start of training camp in the Orlando bubble, Walker is adjusting to a new reality that the team is prioritizing: protecting him from experiencing more setbacks. “It's definitely pretty frustrating,” Walker admitted of his condition. “Just because I'm not a guy who misses many games, especially throughout the course of my career.”
Walker went throughout most of the season layoff without issues in the surgically repaired knee but starting to experience issues again when returning to Boston for individual ramped up workouts. “It was definitely a pain,” Walker said of what he felt. “I can’t really explain it, but it was a pain on the side of my knee that was bothering me. I don’t know how much else I can say. Throughout my career, I haven’t missed many games, and I’ve been able to play through a lot. It was bothering me, so that was the best choice for me to make, was to sit out. Like I said, this is not normal for me, being out like this, but the smart way to go about things because I want to be at my best for my teammates and this organization when the regular season comes around and most definitely in the playoffs.”
A. Sherrod Blakely: Kemba said the plan is to make sure he's full-go for the playoffs. He added that he's feeling "really good now but I don't want to have any setbacks. I'll be back in time when things get real, for sure."
Jay King: Kemba Walker said he felt pain on the side of his knee after individual workouts. He reminded that he’s been able to play through a lot in his career. Said it’s not normal for him being out like this, but it’s the smart way to approach the issue.
Jay King: Brad Stevens said Kemba Walker did a couple portions of practice today as planned. The Celtics went pretty light today, Stevens said.
Chris Grenham: Brad Stevens says Kemba Walker did a harder workout yesterday and did not go through practice today. He's on a one day on, one day off schedule right now.
Kemba Walker was slowly working his way back from left knee soreness when the NBA was forced to shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic. He’s been quiet since being forced into isolation, but he made an appearance with Brian Scalabrine during a rebroadcast of the Boston Celtics early-season win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
“Quarantine has been very interesting,” he said during the video chat. “There’s not much to do. Just around the house. Working out a little bit, as much as I can, trying to do as much as I can do. But for the most part, just relaxing. There’s really not much to do.”
“The knee is doing well,” Walker said. “It’s difficult because I don’s have anyone around to get me some treatment or anything like that, so I have to do my own stuff, which I’m trying my best to do as much as possible. Still trying to stay on top of things, so at this point it’s all about discipline.”
Gary Washburn: Jaylen Brown out at least a week. Hayward day to day and Kemba just getting back to back rest. #Celtics
Jay King: Sounds like Kemba Walker won’t play Wednesday against the Cavs after likely making his return tomorrow. Stevens called him “doubtful” for the second leg of the back to back. Kemba said his knee feels good though and the swelling is gone.
Chris Forsberg: Brad Stevens said Kemba Walker did some light work this morning. He’ll play 3-on-3 Sunday to see if he can rejoin practice on Monday (which would put a Tuesday return in play).
Chris Forsberg: Brad Stevens said Kemba Walker did some light work this morning. He’ll play 3-on-3 Sunday to see if he can rejoin practice on Monday (which would put a Tuesday return in play).
Jay King: Kemba Walker is officially out of tonight’s game in Utah, per the Celtics.
Tom Westerholm: Kemba Walker is out against the Blazers, per the Celtics.
Mark Murphy: Kemba Walker is talking with staff about possibility of resting his knee in preparation for playoffs: "They’re putting it in my mind. I haven’t really had to do that much over the years and think like that over the years. So it is (a possibility)."
Jay King: Kemba Walker said he didn’t really have a minutes restriction in the All-Star Game, despite what he initially said.
Adam Himmelsbach: Brad Stevens said he didn’t say anything to the Raptors coaching staff prior to the All-Star game about Kemba being limited. Cs sense was that he was OK.
Boston Celtics guard Kemba Walker had his knee drained and received a Synvisc injection to help with swelling and soreness, coach Brad Stevens said Friday. Stevens said it is not likely to be a long-term issue. Walker had already been ruled out for Friday night's game against the Timberwolves in Minnesota.
Abby Chin: Kemba Walker OUT tonight for the #Celtics due to knee soreness. Brad Stevens told me Kemba had his left knee drained and received an injection to reduce swelling after the All-Star game. But, Stevens stressed Kemba shouldn’t miss much time. No determination on status for SUN yet.
Abby Chin: Kemba Walker OUT tonight for the #Celtics due to knee soreness. Brad Stevens told me Kemba had his left knee drained and received an injection to reduce swelling after the All-Star game. But, Stevens stressed Kemba shouldn’t miss much time. No determination on status for SUN yet.
Celtics guard Kemba Walker will return to the lineup Friday night against the Atlanta Hawks after missing three games with left knee soreness. "I feel pretty good," Walker said Friday after the team's morning shootaround. "It's much improved. I'm going to try to give it a go tonight." Celtics coach Brad Stevens said Walker is going to be on a minutes restriction of about 30 against the Hawks. He played over 35 minutes in three of four games prior to sitting out.
A. Sherrod Blakely: Kemba Walker cites the team's chemistry as a possible factor in Danny Ainge's decision to keep the team intact at the trade deadline. The players really like each other. "We get along, maybe too well," Walker quipped.
Tim Bontemps: Boston’s season as the walking wounded continues: Marcus Smart (quad) and Brad Wanamaker (ankle) are probable. Jaylen Brown (ankle), Gordon Hayward (foot) and Kemba Walker (knee) are questionable. Daniel Theis (ankle) and Robert Williams (hip) are out.
Chris Forsberg: Kemba Walker didn’t seem overly concerned about his lingering knee soreness. Said he had gotten imaging on the knee earlier this season but not recently.
Chris Grenham: Brad Stevens says Kemba Walker’s injury is a “short-term thing.” Added that Robert Williams is progressing well.
Mark Murphy: Per Brad Stevens: Kemba Walker will miss the next two games with a sore knee and then be reevaluated.
Chris Forsberg: Celtics list Jaylen Brown as questionable vs Memphis with a right ankle sprain. Kemba is probable with left knee soreness.
Chris Forsberg: Celtics list Jaylen and Kemba as questionable for Monday vs Lakers.
Guard Kemba Walker sat out Saturday night's game against the Phoenix Suns with a sore left knee. Walker, who was listed as questionable by the Boston Celtics, didn't participate in shootaround and underwent an MRI on his knee after telling the team Friday night that he had knee soreness, according to Celtics coach Brad Stevens. "Kemba got ahold of our doctors last night and said he had some knee soreness," Stevens said. "[He] went and got an MRI today, [and it] didn't show anything structurally wrong, but he's very sore."
Sean Grande: Kemba Walker and Jaylen Brown out tonight.
Chris Forsberg: Brad Stevens says on @ZoandBertrand that Kemba will play vs Spurs.
Tim Bontemps: The Celtics say Kemba Walker is questionable for tomorrow’s game with San Antonio. He’s been out the past three games with an illness. Rookie Romeo Langford is out with one, as well.
Jared Weiss: Kemba and Theis are now officially playing.
Tim Bontemps: The Celtics say Kemba Walker is probable for tomorrow's game against the Nets. Daniel Theis remains questionable, and both Gordon Hayward and Romeo Langford remain out.
Chris Forsberg: “[Kemba is] feeling well, he has no symptoms. Really, we’re just going to get him to a full practice and have him progress from there.” Full opening statement from Celtics doc Tony Schena with the timeline after Kemba Walker’s neck scare in Denver. pic.twitter.com/9tapKLK9Qc
John Karalis: Kemba Walker is officially out tonight
Tom Westerholm: Kemba Walker remains “doubtful” per the Celtics. Still not ruled out.
Andrea saw the concerned looks on the faces of the other Celtics. She saw the stretcher wheeled onto the court. She saw her son immobilized and taken away, and she felt as helpless as any mother would. “It was awful,” she said by phone on Sunday. “If I could’ve jumped through that TV, I would have. I felt like he was halfway around the world.” Andrea was relieved by each bit of news she received as time passed. And on Sunday, Kemba was actually on the court with the Celtics after the practice was opened to the media.
At first, they just told her they needed to go to a hospital, because the Pepsi Center in Denver didn’t have the medical equipment needed to complete the necessary tests. She heard a commentator compare Walker’s injury to another that had resulted in temporary paralysis, and that made her feel worse. “I mean, all kinds of things were going through my mind,” Andrea said. “It was just crazy.”
“He wants to play on Monday!” Andrea said, finding it at once unbelievable and yet also believable, because she knows her son. “He wants to play. I’m like, ‘This boy, this boy.’ He just loves his sport so much. I told him if he wants to play, just play five minutes then.”
Tim Bontemps: Kemba Walker didn’t practice but went through “a number of progressions” on the bike and in the weight room, Brad Stevens said.
Tim Bontemps: Stevens: “Head injuries and neck injuries are scary. That’s why he’s doubtful to be honest.” Says Walker can probably play with the neck pain, but team wants to be extra cautious to make sure everything is OK.
Steve Bulpett: Per Celtics' source, Kemba Walker appears to be much better. He's been released from the hospital here in Denver and will be flying home with the team Saturday morning.
"I saw him in the ambulance at halftime," Stevens said. "He had his wherewithal about him. He was in decent spirits, which is good." Late Friday night, the Celtics said Walker was released from the hospital to travel home with the team. He will be re-evaluated Saturday in Boston.
There was concern Walker’s injury could be related to the neck problem that hindered Walker while playing for Team USA in the FIBA World Cup this past summer, but there was no word on that. “All the scans that he went through at halftime yielded good results,” said coach Brad Stevens. “But we haven’t heard anything since.
A. Sherrod Blakely: Marcus Smart said Kemba Walker had been dealing with a neck issue dating back to this summer when both were with Team USA.
Adrian Wojnarowski. Early indications are that Boston’s Kemba Walker did not suffer a significant injury in collision tonight, league source tells ESPN. Team has diagnosed him with concussion-like symptoms.
Walker, attempting to recover a steal late in the second quarter of their matchup against the Denver Nuggets, lost his balance. With his head down, Walker ran headfirst into the stomach of Celtics forward Semi Ojeleye. He instantly recoiled and fell to the floor in pain, where he remained until play was stopped.
John Karalis: It looks like the doctors have Kemba stabilized and on his back. The entire Celtics team is in a circle around him
Adam Himmelsbach: Standing ovation for Kemba as he's wheeled off the court on a stretcher. Damn.
Kemba Walker (neck) didn't play, joining Boston Celtics teammates Jayson Tatum (left ankle) and Marcus Smart (left hand) on the U.S. injured list. White started in Walker's place at point guard.
Rod Boone: Although he's playing tonight as expected, Kemba didn't ciome out for his usual pregame warm up routine. Likely getting extra treatment to loosen up his neck.
