Kemba Walker and Marcus Smart available to play against Brooklyn; Jayson Tatum likely out

Kemba Walker will finally make his first post-All-Star Break return for the Boston Celtics as they host the Brooklyn Nets. Unfortunately, the Celtics might not quite be at full strength yet.

It’s reassuring news that Marcus Smart (who was ruled questionable yesterday because of an illness) is available to play. Jayson Tatum (also ruled questionable due to illness) will likely not suit up today on his 22nd 19th birthday.

Kemba Walker will be on a minutes limit. Against the 8th-seeded Brooklyn Nets, hopefully they won’t need an extensive contribution from Walker anyway. Tonight also figures to be the first game action that Robert Williams will see since December 6th because of a bone edema that has kept him out of action. He was cleared to return Saturday against the Houston Rockets, but he along with Enes Kanter received a DNP-CD because of the style of small-ball that the Rockets play.

Maybe by tonight, but at least hopefully by tomorrow night’s matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Celtics will finally be fully healthy. I won’t know how to act when that happens.

The Celtics take on the Brooklyn Nets in Boston tonight at 7:30 PM EST on TNT.