Boston Celtics: 3 potential problems Cs could run into at NBA Disney

Potential problems Cs could run into No. 2: Resurfacing of injuries

Despite their impressive 2019-20 season record, and their place amongst the upper-echelon of the league’s best squads, the Boston Celtics dealt with a lot of adversity this season in the form of injuries.

From Robert Williams and Gordon Hayward to Jaylen Brown and, most recently, Kemba Walker, the C’s core unit has struggled all season to log substantial minutes on the hardwood together. Highlighted by our very own Ian Riaf a few months back, their core’s lack of playing time this year has been an indefinite sore spot:

"Games missed this season Robert Williams — 39 Gordon Hayward — 18 Kemba Walker — 13 Enes Kanter — 12 Marcus Smart —  11 Jaylen Brown— 10 Daniel Theis  — 6 Jayson Tatum —  4 The Celtics current starting lineup, their most-used lineup, has only played a total of 390 total possessions together filtering out garbage time. This ranks 25th among all teams this season. The average starting lineup has played around 644 possessions together thus far. Despite the lack of time on the floor together, this lineup ranks: 93rd percentile in effective field goal percentage 93rd percentile in transition points added per possession 91st percentile in limiting opponent three-point attempts (giving up the right shot) 89th percentile in three-point percentage (44.6%) 87th percentile in points per possession This is a good sign for the Celtics, but more repetition on the floor together wouldn’t hurt this team moving forward."

Prior to the COVID-19 induced hiatus, the most prominent name that had fallen victim to the ugly bite of the injury bug was their franchise point guard, Walker.

Reports had surfaced in mid-January about apparent soreness in the All-Star’s left knee, forcing him to the sideline for three straight games. Had this been a one off injury, there likely would be no concern from the Boston Celtics faithful, for he has show to be somewhat of an “iron man” throughout his career in the association.

However, not three weeks later, discomfort in that same knee was reported by Walker, requiring him to get fluid removed from it prior to a bout against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Post All-Star break, the point guard would miss the first five contests and, leading up to the season’s suspension, found himself suiting up for four out of a potential 10 outings.

Now, we’re not saying the risk of re-injury is any higher than it was prior to the league suspension, but with the fact that Walker’s rehabilitation was disrupted due to the team’s facilities being closed, it does spark one’s intrigue as to how much and how properly his injury has healed.

If the Celtics want to legitimately find themselves competing for league supremacy by season’s end, their going to need a fully healthy roster to get it done.

More importantly, they’re going to need a fully healthy Walker.