Celtics guard Kemba Walker has yet to practice with the team as it prepares for the NBA’s return because of a sore knee. He is expected to practice on Wednesday. Michael Dwyer/Associated Press
The Celtics held their fourth straight day of practice at Disney World Monday morning, and once again, Kemba Walker was a non-participant.
The point guard, who was bothered by a sore knee during the winter, experienced “a little bit of discomfort” while doing individual workouts at the Auerbach Center in Boston after the quarantine was lifted in June, according to Coach Brad Stevens.
The Celtics will not be practicing on Tuesday, and the plan is for Walker to be on the court with his teammates when they resume workouts on Wednesday afternoon.
“He shot at the end (of Monday’s practice),” said Stevens on a video conference with the media. “We’ll take a day off and he’ll go through much more on Wednesday.”
Walker sat out eight of 12 games in February and had the knee drained at one point. He returned in March and played three of four games, making just 12 of 43 shots and going 5 for 24 on 3-pointers, before the NBA suspended the season due to the coronavirus.
When Walker talked with reporters two weeks ago, he said that the long layoff was beneficial for his knee.
“It was super important for me,” said Walker. “I really, really needed that break. It definitely helped me get back to myself and start to feel comfortable on my knee.
“I’m pretty comfortable with the way the schedule is and I’m going to keep taking care of myself. That’s really all I can do. I’m just going to stay on top of things and take it day to day.”
Stevens said Monday that because of the slight discomfort that Walker felt, they wanted to take the first few days of practices at Disney World to allow him to strengthen the knee.
The Celtics have three scrimmages July 24, 26 and 28 before playing the first of eight regular-season games on July 31. Stevens said it is expected that Walker’s minutes will be limited for the time being.
“He certainly, I think, feels better than he did in March,” said Stevens. “But with just even the small discomfort, we said, ‘Let’s take the four days and ramp it up appropriately.’ The No. 1 thing is strength and strength around the knee.
“Hard to do that with the four days (of practice) we just had. I didn’t think we had a great practice today in large part because we went really hard (Sunday) and went at least semi-hard today. It makes a lot of sense to start to ramp him up as we start up again on Wednesday.
“That may mean he’s a little bit behind when we start scrimmage play and when we start seeding games play for his normal minutes. But his health is the most important thing. It’s not just for this particular period. It’s for the long run and strength around the knee is important.”
The Celtics are also taking Saturday off this week.
WITH KARA LAWSON leaving this week to become the head coach of the Duke University women’s team, the Celtics will be bringing another assistant coach to Florida.
Brandon Bailey, who has been working from Boston while the team is in Florida, will be flying to Orlando and after being quarantined will join the Celtics. The Celtics had to leave some staff members home, including Bailey, since only 35 members of the organization can be at Disney World.
“Brandon has been great from afar as have the other guys still in Boston,” said Stevens of the former Maine Red Claws head coach. “It’ll be nice to have him down. He’s kind of our defensive checklist guy to make sure we go everything we need to go through and prepare in a short amount of time.”
Stevens said that an assistant coach will be hired in the fall to replace Lawson. Video coordinator Tony Robbins will take her spot on the bench the rest of this season.
WHILE JAYSON TATUM, a newcomer to the sport, has hit the golf courses at Disney World, Gordon Hayward won’t be joining him.
“Man, I wish I was a better golfer. You will not find me out on the golf course right now,” said Hayward after practice Monday. “I’ve heard from everybody around the league once you get the bug you want to be out there every day. I don’t have that bug yet.”
Hayward said it was difficult leaving his wife, Robyn, and three daughters last Wednesday for an extended stay in Florida. Robyn is due to deliver their fourth child in September, and if the Celtics are still playing, Hayward will leave Disney World to be with her.
“Leaving the girlies was definitely one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do,” said Hayward. “It was emotional, that’s for sure. Very tough to leave.
“I think my girls are at the age where they kind of understand what’s going on now. Being able to see us on TV will certainly help, but leaving that day was definitely very difficult. I definitely miss my family.”
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