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Boston Celtics: Kemba Walker has explosive performance in win over Suns

By Rudi Richards

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 22: Kemba Walker #8 of the Boston Celtics yells during a game against the Phoenix Suns during a game at TD Garden on April 22, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 22: Kemba Walker #8 of the Boston Celtics yells during a game against the Phoenix Suns during a game at TD Garden on April 22, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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After missing the first 11 games of the season with a knee injury, it didn’t seem like the Boston Celtics were going to get to see the Kemba Walker that we’ve seen in years past. After coming back from injury to rejoin the Celtics, it looked like it was going to take some time to get back to his playing level, and was questioned whether he’d ever get back to the All-Star level that he was on a year previously. Fast forward three months and Kemba is starting to show signs of not only being back but also has the ability to be the best player on the court – which was the case on Thursday against the Phoenix Suns.

The Suns, who possess the second-best record in the entirety of the NBA, looked to be a monumental task coming into Boston for the Celtics – who were looking to bounce back from an awful loss to Chicago a couple of days previously. In a very low-scoring game, the Celtics showed how good they can be on the defensive end as they held one of the league’s best offenses (115.0 offensive rating) to just 86 points on 40.9/17.1 percent shooting.

After starting the year on the sidelines for the Boston Celtics, it’s been a tough season for Kemba Walker. However, he’s finally looking himself again.

As well as being an elite offensive team, the Suns are just as good in some ways on the opposite end (108.8 defensive rating). The Celtics themselves didn’t have a good offensive night, it was just better and more efficient than Phoenix’s. Boston managed 12 3-pointers in comparison to just six from Phoenix – who just couldn’t seem to find their offensive identity on the night.

Chris Paul had a huge personal night with 22 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists, but it wasn’t enough to even keep it close as we saw Devin Booker sit for extended periods with five fouls. After he finally returned it wasn’t long until the player of the game Walker cleverly drew a charge just outside of the restricted area, ultimately ending Booker’s night, who ended the game on just 15 points over 25 minutes on the floor.

Kemba did just about everything last night. From taking charges to even recording a blocked shot. In Walker’s biggest night of the year thus far, he tallied 32 total points on 64.7 percent shooting as he went 5-of-11 from beyond the arc, adding in four rebounds, and four assists. He led both units and carried the Celtics in this one, in an important win in terms of the standings and the opposition that they were facing.

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With Jaylen Brown out, the Celtics were going to need someone to really step it up. Add in Jayson Tatum scoring just 15 points, and it looks really impressive that the Celtics came away with a win in this one. Tatum had an off night from the field (3-of-17 shooting) but stepped up on the boards with 11, and moved the ball to his teammates, collecting six assists. Marcus Smart and Tristan Thompson both had solid nights, as Payton Pritchard led the bench scoring with 10, the other four bench players made their own impacts, rounding off a real team performance which ended up with them closing this one out with ease.

However, this would’ve not been the case if Kemba didn’t come out and do what he ended up doing. Everybody who follows the NBA knows what the four-time All-Star is capable of, both from his Charlotte days and the last couple of years in Boston. His knee problems prior to the season were concerning, and it seemed like it could definitely hold him back, but his recent performances, last night, in particular, show what kind of player he still is.

Kemba turns 31 next month and has a guaranteed contract with Boston through next season. As the Celts continue to try and piece everything together with the assets that they have, having a leader at the point guard position in Kemba is unbelievably important both for the young stars of this team’s development and ultimately for winning basketball games.

He remains a huge part of this organization, and if there was any doubt over it there shouldn’t be after watching his performance against the Suns.

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