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Trying to snap a short two-game losing skid would be a lot easier if the Boston Celtics had their starting point guard available.
But Kemba Walker won’t play Saturday night versus the visiting Phoenix Suns due to left knee soreness. Walker said his knee was “very sore” according to The Athletic’s Jay King and did get an MRI on his knee, but it came back clean. Celtics coach Brad Stevens said he didn’t think it would be a long-term injury for Walker.
Brad Stevens said Kemba went for an MRI today after contacting the team doctors last night to tell them he was hurting. He’s “very sore,” according to Stevens. Said he hasn’t talked to Kemba or doctors enough to know if it’s a long term concern, but doesn’t get that impression.
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) January 18, 2020
It will be the fifth game Walker has missed this season due to ailments and he joins a handful of his teammates who are nursing injures at the moment, too.
And now Kemba is officially listed as OUT. Brutal stretch for Boston. https://t.co/9rUBC6Ly0E
— Marc D'Amico (@Marc_DAmico) January 18, 2020
Walker isn’t the only starter to be sidelined against the Suns as Jaylen Brown also won’t suit up for a second straight game due to a sprained thumb.
First time both have been out on the same night.
— Sean Grande (@SeanGrandePBP) January 18, 2020
For Walker, who is coming off a 40-point, 11-rebound performance against the Milwaukee Bucks Thursday, the knee soreness doesn’t seem like a serious issue and more like the Celtics taking a precautionary measure. It was just earlier this week that Jayson Tatum sat out versus the Pistons due to knee soreness, so this could all be a strategy just to get some of the Celtics star players rest.
Regardless, the Hospital Celtics seem like they are back.