Like many teams around the NBA, the New York Knicks are currently being hit hard by positive COVID-19 cases. They currently have six players in the league’s health and safety protocols with Obi Toppin, RJ Barrett, Kevin Knox II, Quentin Grimes, Immanuel Quickley and Deuce McBride all sidelined. Point guard Derrick Rose is also dealing with a sore ankle.
As a result of so many people being sidelined, we saw Kemba Walker re-enter the starting lineup on Saturday night against the Boston Celtics.
It was the first time Walker has gotten on the court since November 26th against the Phoenix Suns.
He sat out the second night of a back-to-back after that but has since been out of the rotation as a Coach’s Decision – DNP. So it had been 10 games since Walker had played, but you wouldn’t have known it with how well he performed against the Celtics.
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Kemba Walker scored a season-high 29 points, doing everything he could to help get New York a much-needed victory over a division rival. Alas, they fell short of picking up the win, but it was great to not only see Walker back on the floor but perform at the level he did.
“Played really well,” head coach Tom Thibodeau said of Walker’s play. “Really well.”
Given how shorthanded the New York Knicks are, especially in the backcourt, we should see the Bronx native in the lineup for at least a few more games. But, what will happen once the team gets healthy again?
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That was something Thibodeau did not offer much insight into. He was asked if Walker’s performance would change his mind about taking Walker out of the rotation but offered more coach speak in response.
“We’ll see. You’ve got to look at everything in totality,” Thibodeau said.
Veiled answers have been the norm when it comes to questions about Walker’s status going forward. But, following another impressive performance on Tuesday night against the Detroit Pistons, he may be forcing Thibodeau’s hand.
Kemba Walker scored 21 points against the Detroit Pistons in a 14 point win. He played 40 minutes, grabbing seven rebounds with five assists and one steal, once again showing that he can help the team when called upon.
Just how good has he been? He is the first New York Knicks point guard to score 50+ points with 10+ rebounds and 5+ 3-pointers in a two-game span since 2011 when Chauncey Billups accomplished the feat.
Following the victory, Thibodeau was once again asked about the lineup going forward. He had glowing remarks for Walker but the message remained the same; whoever helps them win games will play.
Thibodeau is going to have some difficult decisions to make once the team gets healthy. When given an opportunity, basically everyone on the roster has stepped up and produced, including Walker.
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Removing him from the rotation didn’t provide the team with the spark Thibodeau was hoping it would, as they went 1-8 in the nine games since it was announced Alec Burks would be the starting point guard. Reinserting him into the starting lineup is certainly not out of the question, as he has proven the last two games that he can still help the team win games.
