The Boston Celtics will receive major reinforcements on Wednesday as Kemba Walker is expected to return to the lineup against the Brooklyn Nets. Walker has missed each of the last five games with knee soreness and has not played since the All-Star Game.
Walker's return coincides with an illness to Jayson Tatum that is likely to keep Boston's other All-Star out of the lineup. Tatum, who celebrates his 22nd birthday on Wednesday, has carried Boston during the absence of Walker averaging 34.0 points per game in five games post-break.
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Walker is expected to play with a minutes' restriction according to multiple reports. The 29-year-old is averaging 21.8 points and 5.0 assists in just over 32 minutes per game this season.
The Celtics are in a tight race alongside the Toronto Raptors for the two seed in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. They currently sit a half-game behind the Raptors but are tied in the loss column. Boston currently holds a 2-1 edge in the head-to-head tiebreaker with one game remaining on March 21 in Toronto. Should the Raptors even up the season series, the next tiebreaker is divisional record which the Raptors currently hold an advantage.
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