Kemba Walker was sidelined once again Sunday afternoon with a sore left knee, although this time Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau clarified it was a concession to the reality of the load of back-to-back games on the veteran point guard.
Walker, who was not subjected to back-to-back sets last season with the Celtics, has been sporadic in attempts to play through it this season. After a rest day was followed by nine games of coach’s decision benching, he returned for six games that included a back-to-back set. But then he was shut down for nine games with a sore left knee before returning for two games ahead of Sunday’s game.