Walker was up for some playing time

Bill Walker scored 6 points in 12 minutes against the Nets Wednesday night. (Jim Davis/Globe Staff)

In November, the Celtics sent draft choices J.R. Giddens and Bill Walker to Utah of the Development League. It was becoming apparent there would be limited opportunities for them with the Celtics. And while the Celtics started the season 27-2, the team was not breezing to many victories, and there was not much mop-up time available.

Injury rehabilitation was the main reason Giddens (wrist) and Walker (right knee) returned to Boston last week. But injuries to Tony Allen (ankle) and Kendrick Perkins (shoulder) opened the way for Walker to play in the final quarter of the Celtics' 118-86 win over the New Jersey Nets Wednesday night. The Celtics (32-9), who won their third straight, face the Nets in East Rutherford, N.J., tomorrow.

"It was fun," Walker said. "This is where I want to be. I want to be out there helping this team in any way possible. Coach [Doc Rivers] just gave me a chance to go out there and play. Hopefully, I did most of everything he asked me to do."

The Celtics had a 28-point lead after three quarters, and Walker and the Celtic reserves protected the advantage; in fact, they maintained the intensity and extended the lead. Walker was sporting evidence of that intensity after the game, the swelling over his right eye the result of teammate Patrick O'Bryant's elbow.

"I went to block a Chris Douglas-Roberts shot and Patrick went to block it, too," Walker said.

Asked about priorities for remaining with the Celtics, Walker replied, "Keep getting better defensively. We have enough offensive power to win games. Just being strong defensively, knowing all the defensive terminology and stuff. Just having to learn that is how I will be most successful.

"Only the strong survive. This is a man's game. You want something, you have to go out there and take it. That's my mentality. [Defense] is the only way you're going to stay out there on the court. [Rivers] could have easily just let me sit there. That was a way of just saying I'm thankful to be out there. I'm going to keep on working, stay humble, and try to help out. I didn't know all the inbounding plays. But it was still fun.

"I'm 90 percent, still aching from those games down there [in the D League]. But I'm out here working out with [strength and conditioning coach Bryan Doo] and getting that back. I came back in better shape. I had an IT [iliotibial] band tighten up on me. It got real stiff. I had to get some treatment - they didn't have everything I needed in Utah for it. I just came out here and handled that and now I'm pretty much good."

Walker maintained his apartment and returned to his mother's cooking (Nancy Sloan moved to the Boston area from Topeka, Kan.), but also to some overdue bills.

"I still knew how to get back to my apartment," Walker said. "I had utility bills. That was nothing fun. I'm now learning how to operate like a regular American citizen. I'm paying bills now. That's probably the biggest adjustment for me. I was delinquent, but they understood."

Walker could remain on the active list through next week, since Allen is not expected to return until after the Celtics' trip to Miami (Wednesday) and Orlando (Jan. 22).

"I definitely don't want it that way," Walker said of the opportunity provided by injuries. "I want my team to be as strong as possible. But injuries are a part of the game. That's why we all have to be professionals and do a job when we are called on."

Frank Dell'Apa can be reached at f_dellapa@globe.com.