The Celtics’ chances of making a deep postseason run were dealt a serious blow on Thursday when the team announced that Kyrie Irving would be undergoing a second procedure on his knee that will sideline him for four or five months.
As Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe writes, the Celtics knew when they acquired Irving from the Cavs last August that the star point guard had dealt with lingering knee pain and might need to go under the knife at some point. However, league sources tell Himmelsbach that the procedure wasn’t considered pressing, and the C’s crafted a plan to limit the “wear and tear” on Irving’s knee.
When Irving’s pain became more pronounced last month, he and the club attempted to address the problem with rest and then with a minimally invasive surgery. After team doctors recognized an infection in the knee that would likely require a second procedure, the C’s “aggressively” sought other options, sources tell Himmelsbach. Even though Irving reported that his knee was feeling better though, it was eventually determined that the second surgery – which will officially end his season – was the only viable path.
Here’s more out of Boston:
- In spite of Irving’s injury, Celtics president Danny Ainge insists he’s eager to see how his young squad performs in the postseason, according to reports from Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald and A. Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston. “We’re not giving up on this. Absolutely not,” Ainge said. “We’ve played some fantastic basketball in spite of the challenges that we’ve had from a physical standpoint. So I like watching these guys play, and they’re going to fight.”
- While the Celtics’ upside for this year’s postseason is limited, the franchise remains extremely well-positioned for the future and some bad injury luck doesn’t change that, writes Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer.
- Irving isn’t the only injured Celtics guard to keep an eye on — Marcus Smart is scheduled to have his thumb re-evaluated next week, and his recovery timetable could become more clear at that point, tweets Himmelsbach. The most likely scenario would see Smart returning for the second round of the playoffs, assuming Boston makes it that far.
- Earlier today, we passed along word of the Celtics’ contract agreement with Jonathan Gibson, and asked you how far you expect the club to advance in the playoffs.
Looking forward to watching J. Gibson. Volunteered for Reggie Theus’ Aggies back in the day.
Danny you are sinking the Celtics betting on a Mr.Glass Kyrie Irving to carry your franchise. Have fun getting roasted by Lebron for the remainder of his career, cross your fingers he doesn’t sign with Philly. Better yet, if Cleveland moves that Brooklyn pick and finds a way to bring in Kawhi you are better off just giving up your job.
To do that they would have to trade back a contract. Tristan Thompson? Idk that they take that. Know they won’t take back George Hill at 19M.
Hill,Cedí,Korver,Zizic and the Brooklyn pick should do it. They get to pick a cornerstone in the draft get Korver and Hill for veteran leadership plus all those guys would do good in Pop’s system. That Brooklyn pick could be a Wendell Carter Jr,Kevin Knox, or even Bamba. Could you imagine what Pop could do with any of those 3? Bamba would be surreal at the 5, anyways it’s a fair deal. It would keep Lebron in Cleveland and everyone is happy.
Very unlikely they take back Hills expiring contract. 19 M to ride the bench isn’t their style.
loooool. for kawhi????
I have now officially recognized that Dionis just says things to get everyone riled up, for some reason (beyond my comprehension) he believes he’s funny.
Folks, let’s stop wasting our time responding to him. Ignore him and he might just go away.
I’m not going anywhere. I love this site.
I now see why the Cav’s went along with Kyrie demand to be Traded to the Boston Celtics. Kyrie has a history of always get an injured when you really need him. I strongly feel that the Cav’s could have won NBA Championship in 2015. By time Cav’s reach the finals in 2018. They will be champion because of Kyrie deal, Lakers and Utah made them a stronger and deeper team to beat the no warriors or Houston 2018!
If it wasn’t for Kyrie. Cleveland wouldn’t even have a title.
Cavs sure could have in 2015. They would get blown out a few times but be well positioned in close games with Irving. Love was also out because the Celts had more interest in beating up than beating the Cavs.
But grammar confused me in that post.