11:05 PM
It took the New York Knicks being without nine players for head coach Tom Thibodeau to end Kemba Walker's removal from the team's rotation after nine games.
The Knicks lost 114-107 to their Atlantic Division rivals on Saturday, despite Walker's 29 points in 37 minutes against the Celtics, but he did not play the final two minutes because of a strained groin.
Walker was asked if he wanted to stay with the Knicks. He said he only wants to be on the court.
Walker said he wanted to play. I don't know. It is what it is.
I don't know what the future holds. I feel like I have a lot to give. I don't know. That's up to the guys.
Walker was traded to the Celtics this summer, and the night before he played in Boston for the first time since, he played for the Knicks.
Walker, who hadn't played in over a month, nearly stole the show with a banner performance. In the third quarter, he scored 17 of his 29 points to help New York get back in the game.
It was a reminder of what the Knicks hoped they were getting from Walker after signing him this summer, and also of what he provided during his eight seasons with the Charlotte Hornets and through much of his first season with Boston.
Walker spent a lot of time on the bench, so it felt good to make a statement on the court.
I know I should be playing. He said it feels great. I'm going to stay locked in and prepared. I'll be there for the team.
The shot that put the Knicks in front for the first time Saturday night midway through the quarter was a quintessential Walker play: bringing the ball up on the break and stepping into a pull-up 3-pointer that hit nothing but net. Walker and the New York bench erupted into a huge celebration as Celtics coach Ime Udoka called timeout.
He said it was great to be back in Boston, where he received a big ovation from the crowd before the game, but his night came to an abrupt end when he was forced to leave the game late after Evan Fournier stayed down after a drive to the other end of the court.
Walker shook his head and said that he was told to foul. I didn't know I had five. They told me to foul. That's what I was told to do.
Walker wasn't in a mood to talk about much after the loss.
Walker's play was praised by Thibodeau. Really well.
Walker only got a chance to play once Thibodeau had no other choice. He was the only point guard on the roster after the league's health and safety protocols were not followed.
When asked if Walker's performance could change his mind about leaving him out of the rotation once the Knicks get healthy, he said, "We'll see." You have to look at everything.
He offered little reason as to why he wouldn't go back to Walker after removing him from the rotation.
"It's a tough decision to make, but you always have to do what you think is best for the team," he said that day. It would be difficult to play three small guards together because I view Kemba as a starter. I have great respect for who Kemba is as a person and all he's accomplished in this league, and I gave it consideration.
I have to do what's best for the team.
Things have not worked out the way the Knicks and Walker had hoped, even though Walker agreed to a two-year, $20 million deal to return to his hometown. He agreed to leave the team.
After the Knicks hovered around.500 through the first few weeks of the season, it was obvious that the story in New York was not good. The veteran coach decided to remove his veteran point guard as a way of improving the situation, despite the fact that New York's starting lineup played more minutes together than any five-man group in the league.
In his opinion, starting Alec Burks meant he couldn't play Walker, Rose and Quickley off the bench. It didn't work out the way he wanted it to. The Knicks had dropped seven of their past nine games entering Saturday night's game against the Celtics.
Walker was not in the lineup the past few weeks. I want to play.
It is what it is. Guys went down. I have to fill in. I want them to get back.
Walker said that Johnnie Bryant kept him mentally prepared for whenever his number was called and that he had worked out over the past few weeks.
He admitted that it has been a frustrating couple of years, beginning with the injuries that plagued him over his final year in Boston and now with his demotion in New York.
"It's definitely been a rough couple years, to be honest," Walker said. When you get a chance to slow down and think about things, I think it's just some adversity. Everyone goes through tough times.
A lot of things went my way in my career so far. It's a tough time, so it's about showing my character, showing who I really am. I feel like I'm built for any situation, and I'm going to handle it the best I can. I have a great support system, great family, and great friends who help me stay grounded, and that's what I'm going to do. Just keep putting my work in and be ready for anything that comes my way.
Walker's spot in the rotation is secure. With the Knicks down several guards for at least the next few days due to being in the league's health and safety protocols, it seems likely his time on the court will, at minimum, continue for the next couple of games.
What happens after that is not known. Walker said that he hasn't had much communication with Thibodeau in recent weeks.
Was I confused? Walker said that there was no communication with Thibodeau. I'm not playing. It is what it is.
I'm here for my teammates and my team. I can't say enough about it. Whatever's asked of me is what I'm here for.
