The Boston Celtics announced on Saturday that star guard Kyrie Irving will be out the next three-to-six weeks after undergoing surgery on his ailing left knee.
“Celtics guard Kyrie Irving today underwent a minimally-invasive procedure to remove a tension wire in his left knee. The wire was originally placed as part of the surgical repair of a fractured patella sustained during the 2015 NBA Finals,” the statement read. “While removal of the wire should relieve irritation it was causing in Irving’s patellar tendon, the fractured patella has fully healed and Irving’s knee has been found to be completely structurally sound. Irving is expected to return to basketball activities in 3-6 weeks.”
It’s interesting that Boston bluntly stated Irving’s injury first happened when he was a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2015 NBA Finals. Remember, Irving missed most of that series against the Golden State Warriors to injury.
With about three weeks left in the regular season, Irving could potentially return in time for the playoffs. Though, there’s also a chance he could miss the first round of the playoffs.
Boston currently sits at 49-23 on the season and is in firm standing as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. There’s no real reason to rush Irving back before the end of the regular season.