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It appears Kemba Walker is not quite ready yet to play in the second leg of back-to-back games this season.
Following the Boston Celtics 141-103 rout of the Cleveland Cavaliers Sunday night at TD Garden, Brad Stevens said Walker will not play when the C’s travel to take on the Chicago Bulls on Monday.
Kemba Walker is out against the Bulls for the second half of the back-to-back to rest.
— Brian Robb (@BrianTRobb) January 25, 2021
Walker missed the first 11 games of this season as he nursed a nagging knee injury that hindered him last year. Since his return on Jan. 17, Walker hasn’t played more than 29 minutes in a single contest with the Celtics being cautious with his playing time as they integrate him back into the starting lineup.
The blowout win over the Cavs allowed the Celtics to keep Walker’s minutes total down. Walker played just 24 minutes, but still managed to make an impact by scoring 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting while also compiling five rebounds, four assists, three steals and finishing as a plus-30.
But despite Walker getting the entire fourth quarter off, the Celtics aren’t going to push Walker to play in back-to-backs in the early part of the season in hopes he will be fresher for the stretch run and playoffs.