Celtics' Kemba Walker available to make season debut vs. Knicks

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Kemba Walker is set to make his long-awaited season debut on Sunday when the Boston Celtics take on the New York Knicks.

Walker has been rehabbing a left knee injury since October, when he received a stem cell injection to address an issue that had been bothering him since way back in the NBA’s playoff bubble. Sunday was the first time all season that the Celtics listed Walker as available.

There were signs over a week ago that this day was coming. Walker was cleared to start practicing with the team on Jan. 8, and spent an hour as a full participant in Thursday’s practice. The Celtics listed him as questionable on Saturday.

Walker isn’t quite ready to go all out yet. Head coach Brad Stevens said on Sunday that he’ll be limited to 20 minutes against the New York Knicks.

The Celtics have fared just fine without Walker. They’re 8-3 and currently the No. 1 team in the Eastern Conference, at least by winning percentage. They’ve played 11 games, which is 2 or 3 fewer than most other teams in the NBA, due to several COVID-19 related postponements.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 01: Kemba Walker #8 of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball during the fourth quarter against the Toronto Raptors in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 01, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.  (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Kemba Walker will make his long-awaited season debut for the Celtics on Sunday. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

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