Walker to return to Celtics lineup

BOSTON — Watching games from the bench is something Kemba Walker has not had a lot of experience with in recent seasons.

After missing 20 games in the 2014-15 season with the Charlotte Hornets, the guard sat out a total of six games the last four years, taking part in all 82 last season.

But in his first season with the Celtics, Walker has been out of action in 13 of the team’s 59 games, missing nine of them with a sore left knee. From his vantage point on the [...]

BOSTON — Watching games from the bench is something Kemba Walker has not had a lot of experience with in recent seasons.

After missing 20 games in the 2014-15 season with the Charlotte Hornets, the guard sat out a total of six games the last four years, taking part in all 82 last season.

But in his first season with the Celtics, Walker has been out of action in 13 of the team’s 59 games, missing nine of them with a sore left knee. From his vantage point on the bench, Walker can be seen mentoring younger players, giving in-game pointers.

Might the 29-year-old Walker consider a coaching career once his playing days are over?

"No way,’’ said Walker after practice on Monday afternoon at the Auerbach Center. "I would never, ever coach. When I’m done, I’m done. I can’t be a coach. Too much goes into it. Trust me, coaching is not in my future.’’

Playing games is all Walker wants to do, and he should be able to resume that part of his life Tuesday night when the Celtics face the Kyrie Irving-less Brooklyn Nets at the TD Garden at 7:35.

Walker, who has missed five straight games because of the knee, was able to take part in practice and, barring any setbacks, will be available against the Nets. Coach Brad Stevens said Walker will be on a minutes restriction and won’t play 24 hours later when the Celtics are in Cleveland.

The Celtics have been without Walker since Feb. 13 when he played 46 minutes in a double-overtime win over the Los Angeles Clippers. Three nights later, he played 29 minutes in the NBA All-Star Game, then had to have the knee drained before the Celtics started a four-game road trip.

The swelling in the knee is gone and Walker said he will be cautious the rest of the regular season to be at full strength for the playoffs.

"This is all different,’’ said Walker, who is averaging 21.8 points. "I’ve had a blessed career as far as health thus far. This year has been a little up and down. It’s all about me just understanding what it’s about, being able to compete at a high level for the playoffs. That’s all I’m thinking about.

"I’ll be fine. It’s about taking caring myself. I can’t take any days off, can’t skip any treatments or lifts. I’ve got to stay on top of it and I’ll be good.’’

Walker said that he has been playing basketball since the summer when he was with the United States team in the World Cup in China and that the wear and tear took its toll.

"I had a long summer,’’ said Walker. "I’ve played a lot of basketball. That’s the only reason it flared up on me. I’ve played a lot of basketball over the years. It happens. We all get injured at some point. You’ve just got to deal with it.’’

Stevens will monitor Walker’s playing time, and being on a restriction won’t be easy for a player who has averaged 34 minutes a game in his career.

"It’s up to Brad,’’ said Walker, who joked he’d be playing 40 minutes. "It probably won’t be too much time. We’re just going to take things slow. I’m excited to get back out there.

"It’s hard. It’s going to be tough playing limited minutes, but it’s all about the long haul. It’s all about being healthy when it counts. That’s what I’m looking forward to, just working my way towards being healthy as we get towards the end of the year.’’

The Celtics are just one-half game out of the second spot in the East, so bringing Walker back will be a boost in their pursuit to overtake the Toronto Raptors with 23 games left.

"He just has the ability to make plays with very simple spacing because of his speed, quickness and skill,’’ said Stevens. "I think that you can tell in games like we’ve had over the last week where it’s hard to score at times, that’s when you miss his burst and that motor.’’

While Walker should be able to play some minutes against the Nets, the availability of Jayson Tatum and Marcus Smart is up in the air. Tatum and Smart both missed practice due to illness.

Staying informed

Stevens said that one of the Celtics doctors addressed the team at practice to discuss the coronavirus.

"We just had doc in here today to give the facts about it,’’ said Stevens. "We’re treating it from our standpoint a lot like we would if a player got the flu. He gave all the facts and all the data and all the stats and how to treat it and how to avoid it.’’

C.J. McCollum of the Portland Trail Blazers has indicated he won’t be signing autographs because of the virus.

"It’s getting serious,’’ said Walker. "Everyone tends to get a little cautious. I’m pretty sure I’m still going to sign some autographs, of course, but maybe I’ll walk around with my own marker.’’

jfenton@enterprisenews.com

On Twitter at @JFenton_ent