Kemba Walker out vs. Cavaliers

As expected, Kemba Walker will sit out tonight’s game in Cleveland after playing nearly 34 minutes yesterday in the Celtics’ 117-109 loss to the visiting Jazz. Tristan Thompson and Romeo Langford remain in the league’s health and safety protocols.

After playing the Cavaliers tonight, the Celtics return home for a mini two-game homestand before heading back at on the road next week. For what it’s worth, Walker has responded well to the forced rest. In nine games after two days off, he’s averaging 20.1 points on 42.7% shooting, up from his one-day rest averages of 17.6 points at 37.2% shooting.

Looking ahead, the Celtics have six back-to-back sets left in the season, including Magic-Grizzlies and Bucks-Thunder in a five-games-in-seven-days gauntlet next week.

Thompson was placed in the COVID protocols some time after the trip to Houston. Langford has been out since the league resumed last week. As of now, it’s unclear whether or not either player has returned a positive test or is out due to contact tracing.