Marc J. Spears: Knicks say Kemba Walker (sore left knee) is out against LA Clippers. Nerlens Noel and Cam Reddish are available.
NBA Rumor: Kemba Walker Injury
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Tommy Beer: The Knicks have ruled out Cam Reddish (right ankle sprain) and Nerlens Noel (sore left knee) for tonight’s game vs. the Pelicans. Kemba Walker is not listed on the injury report and is good to go. Pels PG Devonte’ Graham (ankle) is being listed as questionable.
Kemba Walker returns after missing last nine games
Kemba Walker still out for Knicks
Marc Berman: Kemba Walker will miss his ninth straight game.
Barbara Barker: Thibs says it’s doubtful that Kemba plays tomorrow.
Tim Bontemps: Tom Thibodeau continues to say Kemba Walker is ramping up and making progress, but doesn’t commit either way to him playing tomorrow against Dallas. Walker has missed the past several games with knee soreness. Thibodeau said Nerlens Noel is ramping up, as well.
Marc Berman: Hearing rookie PG Miles McBride will likely play in the G League tonight in Bridgeport, Conn. for Westchester vs. Motor City. Makes sense with PG Kemba Walker on verge of return and McBride not getting minutes again.
Kemba Walker day-to-day
Kemba Walker has gone from a sweet comeback story after his demotion to a New Year’s Eve mystery. One hour before the Knicks were to face the Thunder on Friday, Walker was ruled out with left-knee soreness. This wasn’t load management but a mishap that happened during pregame warm-ups, with no timetable for his return or a grasp on what may be new with his arthritic left knee. Walker was not on the bench in street clothes as the Knicks were beaten 95-80 by the rebuilding Thunder to end 2021 on a low note. Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said he’ll be tested further.
“It was last minute,’’ Thibodeau said. “He was warming up, and something didn’t feel right. So, I haven’t talked to the trainers yet. It was a last-minute scratch.’’ Asked if this was serious, Thibodeau said, “I don’t know, because he started his warm-up, and then he stopped. And then [trainer] Anthony [Goenaga] was looking at him and just felt, let’s get him examined, and then we’ll go from there.’’
‘The Celtics had real concerns with Kemba Walker’s left knee’ – Adrian Wojnarowski | NBA Countdown
Tim Bontemps: Kemba Walker says it was understandably frustrating for him to have to sit and watch these past couple games. “But I got to get right. I just gotta get right.”
Jay King: Kemba Walker said it’s been “really tough” to deal with this, especially during the playoffs. He came to Boston to experience high intensity games. He hopes to get healthy again over the offseason. “I’ve gotta get right.”
Kemba Walker unlikely to play in Game 4
Ian Begley: Kemba Walker (bone bruise, left knee) is listed as questionable for Game 4 of Nets-Celtics. Brad Stevens told reporters that Celtics would know more about Walker’s status after morning workouts today. Following those workouts, Walker is unlikely to play in Game 4, per sources.
Kemba Walker available for Game 3
Kemba Walker questionable for Game 3
Kemba Walker feeling 'really good' health-wise
Keith Smith: Celtics injury report is lengthy for the Minnesota game on Saturday afternoon: Brown, Smart, Thompson, Walker, R. Williams – All OUT Fournier and Tatum – both probable.
Jamie Hudson: Celtics Update: Jaylen Brown (right ankle; sprain) is questionable; Kemba Walker (left oblique; strain) is out vs. Blazers Sunday
Kemba Walker out for at least next two games
John Karalis: Brad Stevens says he’s hopeful Robert Williams will play tomorrow. Kemba Walker will miss at least the next two games with his side strain. He’s hopeful Tatum will play tomorrow as well
Jared Weiss: Stevens’ Celtics injury update: – Walker under the weather but “Hopefully will be able to go tomorrow.” – Brown is doubtful for tomorrow with shoulder bursitis. – Smart is back – Fournier is out – Rob Williams “Tried to do a little bit more but won’t be able to go tomorrow.”
Kemba Walker: Knee not to blame for struggles
Jay King: Kemba Walker said his struggles aren’t due to his knee. Said he just has to find a rhythm again. Believes it will just take time. Pointed out that it’s just his 11th game and he went a while without being able to play ball at all. “Nothing with my knee or anything like that.”
Kemba Walker to make season debut
Shams Charania: Celtics guard Kemba Walker is listed available to make his season debut today vs. New York.
John Karalis: Kemba Walker is on a “20.. 20-ish” minute restriction today according to Brad Stevens
Brian Robb: Brad Stevens on Kemba Walker’s return and health: “He feels really good about where he is.”
Kemba Walker questionable for Sunday
Kemba Walker will return when mentally ready and comfortable
Jared Weiss: Kemba Walker says that he is feeling different now than the way he did going into the bubble because he has had the full amount of rehab time he needed. “Whenever I’m mentally ready to get out there and am comfortable, I will.”
Chris Grenham: Brad Stevens says Kemba Walker has been able to continue rehabbing in 1-on-1 sessions. Walker went “full-go” today at practice but did not go live. He looked good, per Stevens.
Kemba Walker still not ready to return from injury
Brad Stevens: Kemba Walker not too far from returning
Chris Grenham: Brad Stevens says the next step for Kemba Walker is to go live in practice with the team. Stevens says he isn’t too far from returning, adding that Walker “feels great” and “looks good.”
Kemba Walker cleared to return to practice
Chris Mannix: Kemba Walker has been cleared to begin practicing with the team, Celtics say. Walker has not played this season while rehabbing a lingering knee injury.
Update on Kemba Walker's knee expected next week
Jared Weiss: Brad Stevens says Kemba Walker is not on the road trip and there is no update on his knee yet. Planned update supposed to come next week. Javonte Green (COVID protocols) is not on the trip and there is no timeline for his return yet. Celtics on a 4 game road trip right now.
Brad Stevens: Kemba Walker won't be back any time soon
Tom Westerholm: No update on Kemba’s knee, other than “he is progressing,” according to Brad Stevens. “He won’t be back any time soon.” Celtics want to get him back “for good” when he returns.
Kemba Walker 'still a long way away' from injury return
Celtics owner not concerned about Kemba Walker injury
Q. Kemba Walker is going to miss the start of the season after receiving a stem-cell injection in his knee. What’s your concern level about his situation? Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck: Kemba got multiple opinions, and nobody said to get surgery. So any time you’re not getting surgery, it’s hard to get too worried. So that’s my answer. Kemba will be back.
Brian Robb: Kemba Walker on if he can say what a stem cell injection does: “I can’t lie. I can’t. (laughs) Have to ask the doctors…I trust the doctors.”
Jay King: Kemba Walker said he met with two knee specialists. “The goal was pretty much to get to the bottom of things.” Wanted to get back to who he is as a player. He believes taking some time to get healthy was the best course of action.
Jay King: Danny Ainge said the next year will tell a lot about how Kemba Walker’s knee will be moving forward. Ainge said maybe the Celtics didn’t do him justice by bringing him back so quickly in the bubble. Ainge doesn’t want to make that mistake again “if it was a mistake.”
Kemba Walker out until January
Following consultation with multiple specialists in early October, Celtics guard Kemba Walker received a stem cell injection in his left knee, and was put on a 12-week strengthening program to prepare for the upcoming season. He is expected to return to on-court activities in early December, and a further update regarding his game availability will be provided during the first week of January.
According to the Charlotte Observer’s Rick Bonnell, who covered Walker during his eight seasons with the Hornets, the tricky part will be getting Walker to buy into a slow ramp-up. “Kemba is so tough that he is genuinely his own worst enemy,” Bonnell told NBC Sports Boston co-hosts Chris Forsberg and Kyle Draper on a new Celtics Talk Podcast. ” … Kemba was determined to play all 82 games in the season before this, and he did. That was not a good idea. It was a pride thing to him. In the long haul, that doesn’t make sense. “There were definitely times when (Hornets coach) Steve Clifford would say to Kemba, ‘Look, you need to tell us when you’re not feeling right and that knee is bothering you, and let us be party to the decision about whether you should sit down for a game or two.’ “
“Kemba is the toughest little cuss I know, and I love him for that,” Bonnell said. “But that means that sometimes he does not do what’s in his own long-term best interest. He is not going to complain, and he’s going to be the last person to say, ‘I can’t go tonight.’ “
Bobby Manning: From Brad Stevens today: Kemba Walker status for opening night uncertain. “It’ll be some time before he’s going full speed.”
Chris Forsberg: Kemba Walker went through, as Brad Stevens put it, “all of our 12 minute practice.” Expected to be full go in Game 2 after tweaking that knee in Game 1.
How did how does the knee feel right now? And as you project forward to the playoffs? Do you see it being any kind of, you know, inhibition to your ability? Kemba Walker: Well, it feels good man. That’s me being completely honest. You know, the whole reason I’m only stretching is to see how it reacts after every game. And it’s been it’s been doing well and it’s me feeling better and better after every game, so I’m definitely trending upwards. I think I’m gonna be fine. I think I’ll be fine.
Mark Murphy: Kemba Walker on why he’s on knee-related minutes restriction now: “I had a long summer playing USA basketball. Free agency, everything. Just everything. It was a different year for me. Coming in here, coming into Boston, my offseason was a lot different actually last summer.”
Kemba Walker's knee looks better
Those already concerned about Kemba Walker’s knee probably did a double-take when Kendrick Perkins implied Tuesday that the Boston Celtics had “lost” their star point guard to injury. During an interview Wednesday on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Zolak & Bertrand,” head coach Brad Stevens sung a very different tune when asked about Walker’s health. “His knee is the strongest it’s been since he got here in September,” Stevens said.
Chris Forsberg: Brad Stevens on Kemba Walker: “Came out of Sunday feeling well.” Stevens said Walker will not play tonight. “Lot of guys won’t play tonight” then lists Smart, Hayward, Tatum, Brown, Theis and Kanter as also out.
Kemba Walker to have minutes restriction
Chris Grenham: Brad Stevens confirms Kemba will be on a minutes restriction when seeding games begin, but said he was encouraged by his performance and burst today.
Jay King: Brad Stevens said Kemba Walker “recovered great” from playing live yesterday. He’s expected to go live again tomorrow at practice.
Tim Bontemps: Brad Stevens said Kemba Walker went through the first hour of practice, but didn’t do anything live. The plan is for him to be re-evaluated tomorrow, with the expectation to practice live Thursday and then not play Friday against the Thunder.
Chris Forsberg: Brad Stevens makes note as Kemba Walker runs by near his Zoom conference. “Kemba just flew by us … We all saw his change of speed … Kemba’s getting better, feeling good.” Said only player that’s been out otherwise in ORL is Tremont Waters, who is in the concussion protocol.
However, that mindset may have come back to bite him in Boston over the course of this season so far. He returned quickly on three different occasions during the 2019-20 season after experiencing knee pain and struggled in all of those returns before the season was suspended on March 11th. With pain popping up again at the start of training camp in the Orlando bubble, Walker is adjusting to a new reality that the team is prioritizing: protecting him from experiencing more setbacks. “It’s definitely pretty frustrating,” Walker admitted of his condition. “Just because I’m not a guy who misses many games, especially throughout the course of my career.”
Walker went throughout most of the season layoff without issues in the surgically repaired knee but starting to experience issues again when returning to Boston for individual ramped up workouts. “It was definitely a pain,” Walker said of what he felt. “I can’t really explain it, but it was a pain on the side of my knee that was bothering me. I don’t know how much else I can say. Throughout my career, I haven’t missed many games, and I’ve been able to play through a lot. It was bothering me, so that was the best choice for me to make, was to sit out. Like I said, this is not normal for me, being out like this, but the smart way to go about things because I want to be at my best for my teammates and this organization when the regular season comes around and most definitely in the playoffs.”
A. Sherrod Blakely: Kemba said the plan is to make sure he’s full-go for the playoffs. He added that he’s feeling “really good now but I don’t want to have any setbacks. I’ll be back in time when things get real, for sure.”
Jay King: Kemba Walker said he felt pain on the side of his knee after individual workouts. He reminded that he’s been able to play through a lot in his career. Said it’s not normal for him being out like this, but it’s the smart way to approach the issue.
Jay King: Brad Stevens said Kemba Walker did a couple portions of practice today as planned. The Celtics went pretty light today, Stevens said.
Chris Grenham: Brad Stevens says Kemba Walker did a harder workout yesterday and did not go through practice today. He’s on a one day on, one day off schedule right now.
Kemba Walker was slowly working his way back from left knee soreness when the NBA was forced to shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic. He’s been quiet since being forced into isolation, but he made an appearance with Brian Scalabrine during a rebroadcast of the Boston Celtics early-season win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
“Quarantine has been very interesting,” he said during the video chat. “There’s not much to do. Just around the house. Working out a little bit, as much as I can, trying to do as much as I can do. But for the most part, just relaxing. There’s really not much to do.”
“The knee is doing well,” Walker said. “It’s difficult because I don’s have anyone around to get me some treatment or anything like that, so I have to do my own stuff, which I’m trying my best to do as much as possible. Still trying to stay on top of things, so at this point it’s all about discipline.”
Gary Washburn: Jaylen Brown out at least a week. Hayward day to day and Kemba just getting back to back rest. #Celtics
Jay King: Sounds like Kemba Walker won’t play Wednesday against the Cavs after likely making his return tomorrow. Stevens called him “doubtful” for the second leg of the back to back. Kemba said his knee feels good though and the swelling is gone.
Chris Forsberg: Brad Stevens said Kemba Walker did some light work this morning. He’ll play 3-on-3 Sunday to see if he can rejoin practice on Monday (which would put a Tuesday return in play).
Chris Forsberg: Brad Stevens said Kemba Walker did some light work this morning. He’ll play 3-on-3 Sunday to see if he can rejoin practice on Monday (which would put a Tuesday return in play).
Jay King: Kemba Walker is officially out of tonight’s game in Utah, per the Celtics.
Tom Westerholm: Kemba Walker is out against the Blazers, per the Celtics.
Mark Murphy: Kemba Walker is talking with staff about possibility of resting his knee in preparation for playoffs: “They’re putting it in my mind. I haven’t really had to do that much over the years and think like that over the years. So it is (a possibility).”
Jay King: Kemba Walker said he didn’t really have a minutes restriction in the All-Star Game, despite what he initially said.
April 1, 2023 | 8:18 am EDT Update
Anthony Davis injury not serious
Jovan Buha: Anthony Davis: “I knew I was going to play regardless. Just that initial tweak — a little bit of pain.” He said he didn’t want to go out afterward and continued to play on adrenaline.
Anthony Davis hobbled through a turned ankle and the Los Angeles Lakers continued their march toward a postseason return with a 123-111 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night. “He kicked our ass in every way possible,” Wolves coach Chris Finch said after Davis scored 17 of his 38 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Lakers to their fifth win in their past six games to go above .500 for the first time all season. Davis twisted his left ankle when he stepped backwards onto Lakers forward Wenyen Gabriel’s foot midway through the third quarter.
Davis didn’t miss a single possession. He checked back into the game after the stop in action and contributed to a 24-2 run by the Lakers that put them into the driver’s seat heading into the fourth quarter. “I knew I was going to play,” Davis said after the game. “Tied the shoes up tighter and just kind off played off adrenaline until the end of the game and was able to get some treatment. But I’ll be fine.”
StatMuse: Anthony Davis tonight: 38 PTS 17 REB 2 BLK 15-26 FG The only player with double-digit 30/15 games this season. pic.twitter.com/K3sCn2705P
Jovan Buha: The Lakers are staying overnight in Minneapolis instead of flying to Houston because of the ongoing blizzard warning. Here’s what the streets currently look like. pic.twitter.com/aSiM8tdNEZ
Damian Lillard on being shut down for the season: 'I wouldn't say it's my decision at all'
Players feel the wrath of fans for load management in the NBA, but more often than not it’s a team’s medical and training staff — driven by analytics and the use of wearable sensors — that sit a player. Guys don’t get to the NBA not wanting to compete. Case in point, Damian Lillard. The Trail Blazers have shut him down for the rest of the season, but he told Dan Patrick on the Dan Patrick Show that it was a team call, not his. “I wouldn’t say it’s my decision at all. I think maybe the team protecting me from myself… Every time that I’ve had some type injury like that kind of get irritated or aggravated or something like that, it’s come from just like a heavy load, and stress, and just, you know, going out there and trying to go above and beyond. So, you know, I would say just; there is something there, and also them just trying to protect me from myself as well.”
