Kemba Walker ‘had a little bit of discomfort’ in left knee during workouts, leading to cautious Boston Celtics plan

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The Boston Celtics on Monday held Kemba Walker out from their second consecutive practice as they exercise extreme caution with their All-Star point guard and his troublesome left knee. In a video conference with reporters after practice, head coach Brad Stevens revealed the plan was put into place after Walker’s early individual workouts.

“He had a little bit of discomfort after a couple of the individual workouts,” Stevens said. “He certainly I think feels better than he did even in March. But with just even the small discomfort we said, ‘Let’s take the four days, and ramp it up appropriately.’”

While it’s positive that Walker’s knee is seemingly better than it was when he first returned, Stevens and the Celtics don’t feel they can risk pushing it too hard, too early.

“The number one thing is strength, and strength around the knee,” Stevens said. “Hard to do that with the four days we just had... we went really hard yesterday and we went at least semi hard today so I think it makes a lot of sense to then ramp him up as we start up again on Wednesday... he’ll go through much more on Wednesday”

Walker missed 14 games this season, mostly with soreness in his left knee. The knee flared up after his participation in the All-Star game, which required it to be drained. He missed Boston’s entire ensuing west coast trip.

Walker struggled in his three games after his return, missing his signature burst that got him past defenders, earned him free throws, and set up his devastating change-of-pace step-back jumpers. He shot 27.9% from the floor in those games and just 20.8 percent on 3-pointers in 29 minutes per game.

Stevens has already said they’re going to move very slowly with Kemba Walker, which he acknowledges isn’t ideal. But the Celtics are trying to make sure Walker is not only healthy for when the playoffs start, but that he can be at 100% for the rest of his time in Boston.

“(limiting him) may mean he’s a little bit behind when we start scrimmage play and when we start seeding games play from his normal minutes but his health is the most important thing,” Stevens said. “And it’s not just for this particular period it’s for the long run and strength around the knee is important.”

The Celtics are taking a scheduled say off on Tuesday before returning for practices on Wednesday and Thursday. Their first exhibition game is on July 24, and their first seeding game is a week later.

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