Boston Celtics All-Star point guard Kemba Walker will miss Sunday night’s tilt with longtime rival Los Angeles Lakers.
The UConn product has long dealt with knee soreness and swelling, perhaps most recently exacerbated by an extended stint late in the 2020 NBA All-Star Game.
While the Bronx native has since walked back his initial comments about playing through a minutes restriction, it’s clear the All-NBA floor general needs some time to recuperate after needing his knee drained of fluid.
Walker has been having an outstanding year with his new team, enjoying the most wins of his career this far into a season while averaging 21.8 points, 4.1 boards and 5 assists per game with the Celtics.
Boston will be hard-pressed to earn a win on the road against a Lakers squad hungry to repay the beating Boston put on them when they visited TD Garden Jan. 20, but the former Husky’s health — particularly for the fast-approaching playoffs — takes precedence.
Boston will also be without second-year center Robert Williams III (hip), who is nearing a return from an early December bone bruise.
