Celtics guard Kemba Walker exited Friday’s game against the Denver Nuggets late in the second quarter with an apparent head injury, later being diagnosed with concussion-like symptoms.
Postgame, Celtics coach Brad Stevens confirmed “all of the scans and tests … came back with positive results.” The team later announced that Walker was released to rejoin his teammates for their return to Boston and will be re-evaluated on Saturday.
Walker collided with teammate Semi Ojeleye, striking Ojeleye’s abdomen area head-first and going down on to the court in a heap.
Walker grimaced in pain as he went down and play was stopped as medical personnel from both teams tended to the star guard who was prone on the floor during an eight-minute stoppage.
His teammates gathered round as did Nuggets players, plainly concerned about Walker. A brace was placed around his neck to stabilize the area and he was strapped to a backboard before being placed onto a gurney and wheeled off the court.
Walker entered the game averaging a team-leading 22.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in his first season with Boston.
Earlier this month, the Celtics lost Gordon Hayward to a fractured left hand. He suffered the injury when he collided with LaMarcus Aldridge in a Nov. 9 game against San Antonio.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
