Brad Stevens downplays ‘worrying' about Kemba Walker as All-Star goes through lengthy workout

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Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens said All-Star point guard Kemba Walker went through the first 50 minutes of Sunday’s afternoon workout and downplayed concern about Walker’s sore left knee as the team ramps up activity inside the Orlando Bubble.

“With regard to Kemba getting back into it, I think ‘worrying’ is a strong word,” said Stevens. "I think there’s a lot more to worry about in the world right now so, when he gets back, we’ll get him as acclimated as we can. I don’t think it’ll be as fluid in our first scrimmage, or whatever the case may be, as maybe three weeks from now. But there’s time to do that. He practiced the first 50 minutes of today’s practice, so he’s done a lot more over the last few days.”

Walker sat out Boston’s early practice sessions while strengthening his knee during the Celtics’ first days in Orlando. Walker, during his first Bubble chat with reporters Friday, admitted he experienced pain in the side of his knee during initial individual workouts in Boston but likewise downplayed concern after going through a portion of the team’s practice that day.

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The team was off Saturday and a 50-minute burst on Sunday would have been Walker’s most activity since the team relocated to Florida.

Celtics big man Enes Kanter said Friday’s practice was one of the best he has experienced in his NBA career.

"This is my ninth year in the league. Probably the last practice we had, we had an off-day [Saturday], but the day before was one of the best practices I have ever witnessed,” said Kanter. "Everybody was talking, everybody was going against each other, everybody was pushing each other but, at the same time, we were learning and we were having fun, and a lot of the trash talk out there, but it's good, though.

“[Sunday’s] practice was also really good because we were having fun, played hard, played smart, having fun, and just going at each other at the same time. The important thing is that we are communicating and trusting each other, so it's been great fun.”

Added Celtics forward Jaylen Brown: "Every practice is important for us, every time we get together, every meeting and every time we watch film is crucial. We are just getting into that mindset, more than anything, of just being a great dominant team every single night.”

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