Brad Stevens beat the Zion Williamson opening night outrage. Much like the Pelicans’ star, Kemba Walker sat on the bench as the Celtics fell in crunch time 119-112 on Friday, but Stevens had already explained his plan on Thursday, opting to receive full bursts from Walker rather than integrate him late after a long layoff.
Walker played for five minutes to start the game, over eight minutes between the first and second quarter, then nearly six minutes to start the third quarter. He finished with 16 points on 3-for-6 shooting from three in 19 minutes, drilling two shots before his exit that put Boston back in a close game for the rest of the night.