 locked into Buddy, and to win in this league it takes a team. So we're going to keep looking for him, but we need everyone to step up and make plays, and I thought we did it tonight,'' Kings coach Luke Walton said. ''We didn't score the last one, but we gave ourselves a chance.'' Boston picked up the victory despite missing three starters. Kemba Walker was sidelined with a neck strain after a scary collision with a teammate last week. Gordon Hayward has a fractured hand and Daniel Theis was sick.''It's one game. We've just got to find ways to win. We'll welcome Kemba back when he's healthy. Let him rest up,'' Brown said. ''We're just holding it down for him and Gordon until they make their return. It's great to find ways to win, even with injuries. We've got to continue to do that, and I'm looking forward to it.'' Hield hit his 11th 3-pointer to cut Sacramento's deficit to 97-96. Brown countered with a short jumper in the lane before Cory Joseph tied it with a 3 in front of Boston's bench with 1:06 to play.With Boston clinging to its 103-102 edge, Tatum airballed a long shot from the right corner, and Hield grabbed the rebound with 5.7 seconds left.Bogdanovic's long jumper bounced off the rim, and the ball was tipped out of bounds in a battle for the rebound as the horn sounded.Hield scored 21 points in the third quarter, going 8 for 11 from the floor, including 5 of 8 from beyond the arc, and the teams entered the fourth tied at 75. Brown had nine in the quarter.''In the third quarter, I felt good,'' he said. ''I just came in locked in. All it takes is one to go in, and it started trickling down the lineup.'' But, at the start of the fourth, Hield headed to the locker room and a trainer was stretching both of Brown's legs while he was on his back at the side of the bench.Both returned midway into the final quarter.TIP-INSKings: In their last meeting against the Celtics, Hield had a game-high 35 points for his only other 30-point game this season. It was his 10th career game of 30 or more, and three have come against Boston. ... Richaun Holmes entered tied for the league lead in field goal percentage (66.1). He went 4 for 6 and finished with 8 points.Celtics: Head team physician Dr. Tony Schena said Walker didn't suffer a serious injury, but the Celtics were going to keep him out until he goes through a full practice, which is expected to be Tuesday. The doctor said Walker didn't have a concussion, but the team is going through the protocol. . Hayward (fractured left hand) worked out Sunday without a brace and sat on the bench in street clothes without one Monday. . Smart had his left ring wrapped after the game. He said he jammed it.MOPPING UPThe ball got stuck between the shot clock and top of backboard in the first quarter. Smart grabbed a mop, turned it upside down and pushed the ball free with the handle.YOUNG AT HEARTCoach Brad Stevens joked about having so many young players on the court at the same time.''Butler had older players today,'' he said of where he coached in college before the Celtics hired him.UP NEXTKings: At the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday in the finale of a four-game trip.Celtics: Host the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday in what would have been Kyrie Irving's return, but he's sidelined with a shoulder injury.---More NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/-Sports)
Nov 25, 2019Few times is a doubtful designation for a game deemed a "miracle," but that's where the Boston Celtics find themselves with star point guard Kemba Walker.Walker has yet to be completely ruled out for Monday's contest against the Sacramento Kings in Boston after getting stretchered off the court and later diagnosed with a sprained neck against the Denver Nuggets on Friday night.Walker, who was hurt on a collision with teammate Semi Ojeleye, was released from the hospital late that evening and didn't practice Sunday but did work on an exercise bike in the unlikely case he gets the call against the Kings."He's been good, and he feels good," coach Brad Stevens said. "It's kind of a minor miracle based on what we saw the other day. But the strain is real, and he's got some soreness in his back and neck. That's it." Losing Walker (team-high 21.1 points per game) for an extended period would have been a significant blow to the suddenly scuffling Celtics, who have lost three of four. That slump began with a 100-99 loss at Sacramento on Nov. 17 that brought a 10-game winning streak to a halt.Meanwhile, including that victory, the Kings have won five of their last seven as they start to make noise in the Western Conference. That run of success continued with a 113-106 triumph over the Wizards in Washington on Sunday night, in which Harrison Barnes led the way with a season-high-tying 26 points.Postgame, though, the focus was on the defense after Sacramento held high-scoring Washington to 21 fourth-quarter points in sealing the victory."We are getting better at our rotations, and we are getting better on the ball," said point guard Cory Joseph. "We are getting better as a whole defensively, and I think that we just have to continue to climb because we have the personnel to do that." The Kings are on a four-game East Coast trip that ends Wednesday night at the Philadelphia 76ers. Sacramento hasn't won a game in Boston since the 2006-2007 season.Against the Nuggets on Friday, the Celtics mounted a furious comeback in the fourth to get within one after beginning the quarter down by 13 before ultimately losing 96-92. Boston will play its next two at home, where it is a perfect 5-0.The Celtics are already without forward Gordon Hayward, who is expected out four to six weeks with a fractured left hand that required surgery two weeks ago. Hayward has begun shooting without issue as he works his way back."He's great," Stevens said. "Feeling well. He's got some swelling where the incision was, but that's to be expected. He's doing a really good job. It seems like he's on pace." The Kings are still without De'Aaron Fox (ankle), Marvin Bagley III (thumb) and Trevor Ariza (groin). Ariza was the only member of that trio available when Sacramento edged Boston earlier this month in a game that featured 24 lead changes and nine ties. Buddy Hield led all scorers in that contest with 35 points and seven 3-point makes.--Field Level Media
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