We got a bit of a throwback moment to reminisce over in Boston Celtics point guard Kemba Walker’s Game 3 performance against the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference 2020 NBA Playoffs first round.
The UConn product hearkened back to his legendary postseason run, where he won 11 straight games to win the Big East and NCAA titles without losing one of them, unleashing a filthy stepback against Pitt in the Big East Tournament that bears a striking resemblance to the one he stick on former Celtic Al Horford’s face Friday.
“Cardiac” Kemba — so called for the heart attacks Walker gives fans with those late-clock daggers — called up a little of that Connecticut magic for the Celtics in a moment of need.
In today's @ArbellaIns 360 replay, the crew breaks down Kemba Walker in crunch time in Game 3 and compares it to a big shot he had at UConn 👀 pic.twitter.com/OqsTwRSAIL
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) August 23, 2020
True fans of the game over at NBC Sports Boston, their announcing crew couldn’t help but contrast the two step-backs, near mirror images separated by nearly a decade.
Happy to be on the right side of this play tonight 🤦🏾♂️😂😂 https://t.co/i6Jc5Dll2P
— Brad Wanamaker (@phillybul_22) August 22, 2020
So much so it elicited a comment from teammate Brad Wanamaker, who happened to be on the other side of he court for the first one in 2011, noting he was happy to be on this side of that jumper this time around.
Watch the clip embedded above to see the two shots compared yourself.
Something tells us it isn’t the last time we’ll have a Cardiac Kemba moment this postseason, too.
