Tuesday could be the first game in which Kemba Walker is featured in the Celtics’ starting lineup since the Clippers’ visited Boston back on February 13. Walker was a full participant at Monday’s practice, but the Celtics are still waiting to see how he feels on Tuesday before determining if he will be available against the Nets.
Although the swelling in Walker’s knee is gone, the Celtics still plan to play him limited minutes if he is cleared.
“It probably won’t be too much time,” Walker said. “Just going to take things slow. But, yeah, I’m excited to get back out there.”
Also, if Walker plays on Tuesday, Brad Stevens said it’s doubtful the point guard will play on the second day of the Celtics’ back-to-back. This falls in line with what Stevens said recently:
“If we need to sit (Walker) it’s a planned second night of a back-to-back down the road, it’s not because the knee acted and we need another week or two.”
Jayson Tatum and Marcus Smart were the only two Celtics who did not practice on Monday. Both are dealing with an illness. Stevens doesn’t know whether or not either will be available against the Nets.