Kemba Walker felt 'confident' in 1st game back after knee surgery
Kemba Walker didn't make a big impact Wednesday in his return to the court following an absence of over six weeks.
More importantly, though, he felt good after having missed 18 games following left knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus.
Walker told reporters he felt confident in his knee after his Charlotte Hornets fell 113-106 to the Sacramento Kings. He was limited to 16 minutes off the bench, scoring six points on 2-of-9 shooting from the field with two assists.
Head coach Steve Clifford stuck to his word, saying pregame he was going to keep Walker at eight-to-nine minutes per half as he eases him back into action. Walker, the team's leading scorer, is likely to remain on a minutes restriction for Friday's game versus the Chicago Bulls.
Charlotte will need him to reclaim a bigger role soon, though, as its in a five-team race for the final two playoff spots in the Eastern Conference and may have to go to battle without center Al Jefferson, who suffered a calf injury Wednesday.
The Hornets trail the Miami Heat by a half-game for the No. 8 seed in the East.