Kemba Walker is averaging a career-low 11.7 points during his first 18 games with New York.
New York Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters on Monday that former All-Star guard Kemba Walker is out of the rotation and Alec Burks will remain the team’s starting point guard.
Tom Thibodeau says, at the moment, PG Kemba Walker is not part of the NYK rotation. Says he views Walker as a starter & doesn’t see good fit for Walker off bench. “I have great respect for who Kemba is as a person… & all he's accomplished in this league." pic.twitter.com/O4X3CItepg
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) November 29, 2021
Kemba Walker is out of the Knicks rotation “as of right now,” Tom Thibodeau says. He says he will tighten the rotation moving forward. “It would be tough to play three small guards together,” Thibodeau says. Says he has great respect for Walker and all he’s accomplished.
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) November 29, 2021
Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau tells reporters that Kemba Walker is out of the rotation, and Alec Burks will remain the starting point guard.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 29, 2021
Thibodeau said the move was, “a tough decision to make. But you always have to do what you think is best for the team.”
Walker started 18 of the first 19 games of the season for New York before he was out due to rest for the team’s matchup against the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday. In the win, Burks scored a season-high 23 points with seven rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Walker, a four-time All-Star, is averaging a career-low 11.7 points (on 42.9% shooting), 3.1 assists and 2.6 rebounds over 24.5 minutes during his first season with the Knicks.
New York (11-9) is currently the 7th seed in the East standings.
