NBA Thanksgiving 2019: What each team has to be thankful for

Boston Celtics

That Kemba Walker’s injury wasn’t more serious

Last Friday, the Boston Celtics saw their season flash before their eyes for what must’ve felt like the 10th time in the last few years. Gordon Hayward‘s horrific ankle injury in the 2017-18 season opener was traumatizing enough, and right when he was looking like his older self again to start this season, he sustained a fracture in his left hand to put him back on the sidelines.

It’s not a long-term injury, but when Kemba Walker ran into his own teammate in a game against the Denver Nuggets last week, the entire fanbase held its breath. It looked like a neck injury, he had to be carried off the court on a stretcher and he was taken to a hospital.

Concussions are obviously no light matter, but that diagnosis was a huge relief compared to a potential neck injury. Head coach Brad Stevens went as far as calling it a “minor miracle.” With the Celtics off to an impressive 12-4 start (and even without their success factored in), Boston fans and NBA fans everywhere are thrilled Kemba’s injury wasn’t more serious.