Kemba Walker said his left knee issues are improving, and that he's getting closer to returning to the court full-time. 

"It was definitely a pain. I can't really explain it, but it was a pain on the side of my knee that was bothering me. I don't know how much else I can say. Throughout my career, I haven't missed many games, and I've been able to play through a lot. It was bothering me, so that was the best choice for me to make, was to sit out," said Walker.

Walker added that the injury had been bothering him since February. 

The 30-year-old guard has only practiced on Tuesday and for portions on Thursday.

Walker added that his goal is to be ready by the playoffs.

"The plan is not to [be on a minutes limit by the time the playoffs start]. But I'm feeling good. I'm really just taking it one day at a time right now, just being smart, being cautious for the most part." 

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Brad Stevens said that he was going to "move very slowly" and continue to monitor Kemba Walker's knee as the Boston Celtics head into the playoffs.

“We’re going to move very slowly with Kemba Walker and let him strengthen (the left knee). And make sure that he’s all good to go as we enter the seeding games and obviously, the playoffs," said Stevens.

Walker missed 14 games this season with left knee issues.

Walker said that the break was much needed in healing his knee. 

“I really needed that break. It definitely helped me get back to myself and start to feel comfortable on my knee."

Duke women's basketball program hired Kara Lawson as its head coach on Saturday.

The 39-year-old Lawson was an assistant with the Celtics this season.

"Well, it is a dream come true for me. I have wanted to be a coach since I was a kid. To have an opportunity to lead a group of young women at a prestigious university like Duke -- I have run out of words; it is unbelievable and very exciting," said Lawson in a statement.

Lawson is the first Black head coach in the program's history.

"Throughout the process, it became abundantly clear that her authenticity, passion, contemporary vision and unwavering commitment to the student-athlete experience align seamlessly with the values of the institution," said athletic director Kevin White.

Kara Lawson is currently in talks to take over as the head coach of the Duke women's basketball program.

The 39-year-old, currently an assistant with the Celtics, is the leading candidate for the job.

"I've been asked not to comment on that. I mean, everybody knows what I think of Kara. She's unbelievable. When I can comment on it, I will," said Brad Stevens on Friday.

Gordon Hayward plans to leave the NBA's bubble in Orlando for the birth of his fourth child if the Boston Celtics are still in the playoffs.

"There'll be a time if and when we're down there and she's going to have the baby, I'm for sure going to be with her," Hayward said of his wife, Robyn. "We'll have to cross that bridge when we get there.

Robyn Hayward is due to give birth in September. 

The Eastern Conference Finals are scheduled to begin no later than Sept. 15.

Hayward said the decision to be with his wife for the birth of their fourth child wasn't complicated.

"It's a pretty easy decision for me on that," Hayward said. "I've been at the birth of every one of my children, and I think there are more important things in life. So we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

"I know the NBA has a protocol for that type of thing, and hopefully I can do the quarantining and testing the appropriate amount of time and then be back with the boys."

If a player leaves for fewer than seven days and tests negative on each day that he is not inside the bubble, he would have to quarantine for four days upon returning.