Boston Celtics: Kemba Walker working his way back to you

Another week has passed, meaning another week of .500 ball being played by the Boston Celtics. Things might be ready to change, however, as Kemba Walker put together his best stretch of the 2020-21 season.

That’s right. The same Walker who has been derided by some and the focus of trade speculation by others appears to be getting back to his healthy, All-Star self.

His improved play comes at a perfect time, too. The Celtics are in a prime spot to string together some victories and put some distance between themselves and the lower half of the Eastern Conference.

Focus on Walker’s struggles have coincided with those of the Celtics. His play in January was only a myriad of reasons as to why Boston has struggled. Injuries, inconsistent play, and Jayson Tatum missing time to Covid-19 have all contributed to the Celtics and their failure to rise to the top of the East.

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One week is left in February, though, and appears Walker is turning the corner.

In eight games this month, Walker is averaging 19.4 points per game and shooting 43.5 percent from three-point range. He’s also pulling down 4.1 rebounds and dishing out 4.1 assists per game.

The last four games have been even better for Walker. He’s averaging 22.7 ppg and has connected on 17 of his 31 three-point attempts. Turnovers do continue to be an issue, with Walker committing 16 in this span (to go with only 15 assists).

Walker is coming off perhaps is finest game of the season in a 121-109 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. He poured in 28 points on 10-16 shooting and also had six assists, five rebounds, three steals, and one blocked shot.

These are all very encouraging signs has Boston looks to right the ship and make a run in the next two weeks before the All-Star break.

The Celtics have seven games left before the league breaks for All-Star weekend. Beginning with the New Orleans Pelicans on 2/21, Boston has a good chance to get back to the way they were playing in the season’s first three weeks.

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Looking at their upcoming opponents, the Celtics have a chance to go at least 5-2. With any luck, Walker will play in six of these games, as there is one set of games that are on back-to-back nights. He hasn’t been playing in the latter game of these sets and head coach Brad Stevens might as well keep with that prior to the break.

The Celtics, despite a sluggish fourth quarter and problems with turnovers, are coming off one of their best performances of the season. Play like could be indicative of things to come.

Currently sitting in fourth place in the East, winning five of seven should create some space between the Celtics and the teams behind them. Boston is 4.5 games behind the Philadelphia 76ers for first place, but only 1.5 games ahead of the Charlotte Hornets, the East’s eighth-place team.

Walker’s play is integral to the success of the Celtics. If he, Tatum, and Jaylen Brown are all putting up 20 points per game, Boston is in much better position. Let’s hope he keeps rolling, the Celtics can get healthy, and the role players continue to grow and find consistency. If that happens, first-half struggles will be but a distant memory.