Brad Stevens hinted last week that Kemba Walker may not be ready for the start of the regular season, and now comes confirmation from the Celtics themselves.
The team announced Tuesday morning that Walker received a stem cell injection in his left knee and will be out of game action until at least early January.
Walker was put on a 12-week strengthening program in October and is expected to return to on-court activities in early December. The team says an update on his game availability will be provided during the first week of January. The regular season is set to begin on Dec. 22.
The 30-year-old Walker was hampered by his left knee for much of last season. He was put on a minutes restriction when the season resumed in the Orlando bubble and didn't look like himself during the playoffs.
The Celtics also announced that Romeo Langford's rehab from offseason wrist surgery is proceeding as planned. He was given a 4-5 month timetable from the Sept. 22 surgery.
The team also says recent signing Tristan Thompson suffered a minor hamstring injury prior to arriving in Boston and will be limited to start training camp.