KG Close To Return

by Jeff Clark on Mar 20, 2009 7:29 AM EDT in Boston Celtics News & Links

Kevin Garnett hasn't played in a game in more than a month. But based on what Celtics president Danny Ainge has seen behind closed doors in Waltham, he believes Garnett is ready to play. Whether that's tonight against the Spurs, tomorrow against Memphis, or later could be determined this morning.

Garnett has been out with a sprained right knee he suffered Feb. 19 at Utah. The 2007-08 Defensive Player of the Year made the trip to San Antonio, but has not practiced since suffering the injury. Although Ainge is confident Garnett is ready based on his workouts this week, the team is still being cautious.

"He's looking good," Ainge said. "He's made a great deal of strides, especially in the last 10 days or so. It took him a little while to get going. But in the last week to 10 days, he's been looking a lot better.

"Just by the way he's moving, he looks fresh and healthy. We're still playing it by ear. We're still waiting to see what's going to happen. I'm confident that he will be back [soon]."

A strong shootaround could get Garnett back in the starting lineup tonight.

As usual, I completely support the take-it-slow approach. If he's ready, let him play. If there's any doubt, keep him out. But I have a feeling if the trainers say he's ok, KG will run through walls to get on the court.

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I'm very excited

to see this team get back together. I’m hoping KG is the spark or, more appropriately, the explosion that sets this team off.

by BOSPORTS on Mar 20, 2009 7:36 AM EDT reply actions

Good news…but its too late to accomplish the regular season goals.
start getting playoff-ready, because it wouldnt shock me to lose in the 1st round playing the quality of basketball we have been lately….this team needs to get its chemistry back, hopefully that starts tonight

by TheAncientRivalry on Mar 20, 2009 8:13 AM EDT reply actions

A healthy C’s team is not going to be playing as badly as they have been lately.

by NoraG1 on Mar 20, 2009 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Obviously, but theres no guarantees this team will ever get or stay healthy..but even if healthy I think its gonna take a bit to get that chemistry flowing again and get to that level where we’re capable of winning a championship, we’re nowhere near that right now, and there isnt a whole lot of games left to go

by TheAncientRivalry on Mar 20, 2009 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions

19 game win streak

After 10 games, we went on a 19 game win streak. I don’t think it’ll take us too long to get back to form.

Maybe I’m just being too positive or maybe too naive. I don’t know, but I have faith.

by BOSPORTS on Mar 20, 2009 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Defense

Our problem has been on defense. We can score without KG, but we win with defense. KG will get us our defense back.

"I don't come to play, I come to WIN"--Larry Bird

by TrueGreen on Mar 20, 2009 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions

I really want KG back tonight :)

It’s been a month and the team and fans have really missed him!

by greenwise on Mar 20, 2009 8:26 AM EDT reply actions

It Will Be Wierd

And great to see KG back on the floor. I think he’ll play tonite, even if only for short minutes at a stretch. Expect him to look lousy. That’s how it was last year when he returned from an injury. But with him back we get our defense back and that will be oh so great.

"I don't come to play, I come to WIN"--Larry Bird

by TrueGreen on Mar 20, 2009 11:16 AM EDT reply actions

Enough time to get back in the flow of things

With KG back, we have a lot of work to do in these games we have left. I wouldn’t be surprised if we go on a winning streak and get our energy to what it used to be. Sometimes it was like towards the end of the game, it wasn’t really there. He is the element to the defense and then the offense will come in time.

by illestmcsgt on Mar 20, 2009 2:32 PM EDT reply actions