HoopsHype.com Rumors

The Celtics will have one summer league entry this Year as opposed to the two teams last year they carried. Boston will play in the Orlando Summer League team but will not feature that Bradley or Jared Sullinger. Sullinger is recovering from back surgery as expected. Bradley, who has missed the past two summers with injuries, is being held out to get rest. Fab Melo and the Celtics' first-round pick will be the featured players. Boston Globe

Boston Celtics, Summer League, Jared Sullinger, Fab Melo 

Jared Sullinger: Much respect to @Jason Collins for doing what he is doing.... He was a great teammate and I support you either way... Twitter @Jared_Sully0

Jason Collins, Jared Sullinger 

Jessica Camerato: Jared Sullinger was in the #Celtics locker room once again today. Does not have a timetable for his return from back surgery. #CelticsTalk Twitter

Boston Celtics, Injuries, Jared Sullinger 

Boston Celtics power forward Jared Sullinger is out for the season after having back surgery on Feb. 2 to repair a lumbar disk. But he remains high in the Celtics' plans. The 6-foot-9, 260-pounder, the No. 21 overall selection in the 2012 NBA draft out of Ohio State, is expected to be ready for training camp in the fall. "We just felt that No. 1, there was nobody better than him at that point," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "If he had come out the year before, he would have been in the top five." News-Herald

Boston Celtics, Injuries, Jared Sullinger 

Before a recent Celtics practice, Pierce says Sullinger has shown the potential to return strong. But when I suggest Sullinger has already made his mark in Boston, Pierce pushes back a little. “In this league, you’ve got to continue to make your mark,” he says. “You don’t just play a few games and then, you know, ‘Celtic for life.’ You’ve always got to prove yourself. You’ve seen a lot of good players come and go. When he comes back he’s just got to make sure he’s in the best health he can be in and continue to make his mark.” Boston Globe

Boston Celtics, Jared Sullinger 

Jared Sullinger: Frustration is finally start to set in for me.... No sleep, no ball, and no activity. Twitter @Jared_Sully0

Boston Celtics, Jared Sullinger 

Addressing the media for the first time since back surgery cut his rookie season short on Feb. 1, Celtics forward Jared Sullinger said he has recovered nicely over the last two weeks. "I'm feeling a lot better," Sullinger said before tonight's game against Chicago. "No pain. Just taking it slow." Celtics Blog

Boston Celtics, Injuries, Jared Sullinger 

And, though it seems to run against logic, the fact that Noel’s injury was so freakishly awful to see might actually be a point in his favor. “It was just a weird thing that happened,” one scout said. “He never appeared to have any physical problems, he is a very good athlete, so it is not like this is a chronic problem that is something you are worrying about in 10 years. But that is something you need the doctors to verify.” Sporting News

Boston Celtics, Injuries, Jared Sullinger 

Jared Sullinger’s back surgery was something the Celtics were hoping to put off until the summer, according to his agent, David Falk. Sullinger was flagged with back issues during an NBA pre-draft examination, causing him to drop to the Celtics with the 21st overall pick. Falk said Sullinger’s condition was corrected with Friday’s surgery, and he is expected to return to basketball activities in six months. Sullinger was examined twice by a back specialist in Philadelphia prior to the draft. “The Celtics knew when they drafted him there was a certain level of risk that required surgery, as did several other teams,” said Falk. “Some teams treated it like he was going to have a heart attack or something. [The Celtics’] Brian McKeon is one of the most confident team doctors I’ve ever dealt with. There were so secrets, nobody was trying to hide any facts. There was a possibility that he could require surgery, but the recovery time is less than an ACL.” Boston Globe

Boston Celtics, David Falk, Injuries, Jared Sullinger 

Falk said the Celtics could have delayed the surgery by giving Sullinger anti-inflammatories and treatment, but wanted to take the safer approach. “Jared’s 20 years old, to try to take a short-term risk could jeopardize his career long term. Having surgery was the most appropriate response,” Falk said. “Had he tried to continue to play and aggravate it six or eight weeks down the road, he would have missed the playoffs and the start of the season. It was a calculated decision.” Boston Globe

Boston Celtics, David Falk, Injuries, Jared Sullinger 

Evans Clinchy: Doc Rivers on Jared Sullinger, post-injury: "We're still very happy to have drafted him." Agreed, Doc. Agreed. Twitter @evansclinchy

Boston Celtics, Draft, Doc Rivers, Jared Sullinger 

Leandro Barbosa: What doesn't kill you makes you stronger... I'm sure my man @Jared_Sully0 will have a successful recovery!!!! Twitter @TheBlur_Barbosa

Boston Celtics, Leandro Barbosa, Injuries, Jared Sullinger 

Brian Schmitz: Magic passed on Andrew Bynum (knee), Jared Sullinger in draft because of back issues. He'll have surgery. Tip of hat to Magic team doctors. Twitter @MagicInsider

Boston Celtics, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Draft, Andrew Bynum, Jared Sullinger 

The Boston Celtics announced forward Jared Sullinger underwent successful lumbar disc surgery today at the New England Baptist Hospital. Surgery was performed by the medical staff at the New England Baptist Hospital which is under the direction of Celtics Team Physician, Dr. Brian McKeon. Sullinger is expected to be ready in time for training camp for the 2013-14 season. NBA.com

Boston Celtics, Injuries, Jared Sullinger 

Sullinger's agent, David Falk, said Sullinger is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for next season's training camp. "He had (back) spasms on Wednesday night (in a home game against Sacramento), was in pain and went to the hospital," Falk told USA TODAY Sports by phone. "There were alternatives...He could've tried medication, steroids or cortisone. But he's 20 years old. We all agree that we have to look at this long term and that the benefits of fixing it now and having him come back 100 percent in training camp and being ready to go far outweighed potential short term benefits of trying him to play." USA Today Sports

Boston Celtics, David Falk, Injuries, Jared Sullinger 

The cruel irony, as Falk noted, is that Sullinger's flexibility that had been limited because of the back was better than ever. "Before the Wednesday night, he was touching his toes," Falk said. "But he'll come back trimmer, more flexible, with have greater leg strength and with something to prove. "I think he'll have a major role on this team down the road. While this is a step backwards, it's one step to take many steps forward." USA Today Sports

Boston Celtics, David Falk, Injuries, Jared Sullinger 

Boston Celtics rookie forward Jared Sullinger will undergo surgery on his injured back and miss the rest of the season, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Sullinger had moved into the Celtics' starting lineup recently, and had become a pivotal part of the team's nucleus. After experiencing pain in the past two weeks, Sullinger had to leave Wednesday night's victory over Sacramento in the first quarter and missed the Celtics' practice on Thursday after the back pain worsened. Yahoo! Sports

Boston Celtics, Injuries, Jared Sullinger 

Ken Berger: Also, league source confirms: Celtics' Jared Sullinger needs back surgery and will miss the rest of the season. Twitter @KBergCBS

Boston Celtics, Injuries, Jared Sullinger 

Jeff Green: I was highly upset when I heard @Jared Sullinger didn't make the rookie game...he deserved it Twitter @unclejeffgreen

Boston Celtics, Jeff Green, Jared Sullinger 

Chris Forsberg: Jared Sullinger on Rising Star snub: “I really don't care. That's pretty much it. I really don't care. It doesn't make me or break me." Twitter @ESPNForsberg

Boston Celtics, Jared Sullinger, All Star Game