Kemba Walker Will Return Vs. Spurs, But Won't Play His 'Normal Minutes'
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Boston Celtics will get starting point guard Kemba Walker back for Wednesday night's visit from the San Antonio Spurs. But that doesn't mean the "Hospital Celtics" will be whole again.
After missing the last three games with the flu, Walker is set to return for Wednesday night's tilt at TD Garden. The C's won two of the three games that Walker missed, notching wins against the Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls before dropping Monday night's game to the Washington Wizards.
But head coach Brad Stevens said Walker will not get his usual workload in his return.
"He'll be back but probably won't play his normal minutes," Stevens told 98.5 The Sports Hub's Zolak & Bertrand on Wednesday. "That thing knocked him out. Romeo [Langford] has it now. When you get it you're not only knocked our yourself, but the idea of travelling doesn't make sense."
Walker has averaged 32.3 minutes over his 30 games this season.
But with one return comes another potential absence for Boston, with starting center Daniel Theis listed as questionable with left knee soreness. Theis has started all but one of the 31 games he's played this season, averaging 7.1 points and 6.2 rebounds per contest. The C's are really hurting at center, with Robert Williams and Vincent Poirier both sidelined with injuries.
If Theis can't go, Brad Stevens will likely turn to Enes Kanter in his starting five. Kanter has been a force off the Boston bench lately, averaging 12.1 points, 10.6 rebounds (including 3.9 offensive boards) and 1.9 blocks in his last seven games.
Stevens also said that Tacko Fall will be up from the G League for both Wednesday's game against the Spurs and Thursday night's tilt against the 76ers in Philadelphia.