Hornets' Walker returns from knee injury Wednesday
The Charlotte Hornets are getting their best player back, just in time for the most important stretch of the season.
Kemba Walker will play Wednesday for the first time in over six weeks as the Hornets battle for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The team announced Walker will come off the bench and be limited to eight-to-nine minutes per half in his first game since undergoing knee surgery in late January.
"He's never had to deal with an injury like this in high school or college," head coach Steve Clifford told reporters. "It's going to take him a few games to get his rhythm back. But he's a gifted athlete and he's very competitive, so he might surprise you, too."
Walker returns averaging a team-leading 18.8 points, 5.2 assists and 1.4 steals in 42 games. Charlotte went 10-8 without the 24-year-old, who was enjoying the best season of his career before sustaining the injury.
"I just can't sit there anymore," Walker said. "I've got to play. I hate to watch. I'm comfortable with where I'm at and I'm ready to go."
Mo Williams will draw another start at point. He's averaging 21.4 points and 8.5 assists in 10 games since joining Charlotte.
The Hornets, who host a Sacramento Kings team riding a four-game losing skid, are a half-game ahead of the Miami Heat for the No. 8 seed in the East.
Charlotte will be without big man Cody Zeller, who suffered a shoulder sprain in Monday's loss to the Washington Wizards.