Scott Souza: #Celtics Terry Rozier on Kyrie Irving’s influence during #NBAPlayoffs: He’s here with us. His spirit is with us. He’s still part of this team. He’s still our leader. He’s been doing a great job with that.
More on Kyrie Irving Injury
Scott Souza: #Celtics Brad Stevens: I was surprised to see Kyrie Irving walking around too. ... Talked about how sound and structurally sound the knee is. It was just getting screws out about infection ... Just talked to medical staff and they feel great about how he is a week after surgery.
SportsCenter: Kyrie is out of surgery and feeling alright. ✌️
The Boston Celtics announced that guard Kyrie Irving underwent successful surgery today to remove two screws in his left patella. “The surgery went exactly as planned, and we expect Kyrie to be fully healthy for training camp in the fall,” said Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge.
Jay King: Al Horford said he was “shocked” to hear Kyrie Irving needed a second surgery. Obviously hurting for Kyrie, but, “We have to look forward. We can’t dwell on the past.”
Marc D'Amico: Al Horford on Kyrie’s season-ending surgery: “Obviously it makes it more difficult. Kyrie was the leader of this team and we went with him. But now we have to find a way to do it without him.”
Stevens, speaking to reporters prior to the Celtics' matchup against the Chicago Bulls, said Irving's recovery was going well. "Obviously, after the initial surgery, the thought was he'd be back in three to six weeks," Stevens said. "We thought it would be closer to three than six, the way he was initially progressing. Just one of those things out of his control. But he's bummed as you can imagine."
The prognosis remains good, according to Stevens. The knee is structurally sound, save for the infection. Doctors discovered the infection after taking out the tension wire, which had been the main source of Irving's discomfort. "Everybody told us from the get-go it was going to be a full recovery," Stevens said. "They just didn't anticipate having to take the screws out. But that shouldn't affect him at all as far as a full recovery goes."
Scott Souza: #Celtics Brad Stevens: There was no reason to expect that Kyrie Irving's knee was going to be an issue (early this season). He had played with it for 2 1/2 years. ... As far as structurally sound, and health of his knee from the surgery three years ago, it was really good.
Jay King: Based on what Brad Stevens is saying right now, the Celtics were expecting Kyrie Irving back closer to the beginning of the playoffs before realizing the complications that led to a second surgery.
When the Celtics acquired Irving from the Cavaliers last August, they knew he had dealt with lingering pain related to his 2015 procedure, and that he might eventually need a follow-up maintenance procedure. League sources said the team had laid out a plan to limit the wear and tear on Irving’s knee this year.
About four days after the March surgery, pathology reports showed bacteria on the tension wire, indicating the presence of an infection that likely would require the removal of the screws. Sources said the team aggressively sought other options and consulted with numerous orthopedic surgeons, particularly because Irving reported that his knee was feeling much better and that he was eager to return during this postseason, most likely in the conference semifinals. In the end, though, it was determined that another surgery was the only real choice.
"We’re not giving up on this,” the Celtics’ president of basketball operations told the Herald. “Absolutely not. We’ve competed with the best teams in the league with all the injuries we’ve had to Marcus [Smart] and Kyrie and Gordon Hayward and Daniel Theis. We beat a hungry Oklahoma City team. We beat Portland on their home court. We beat Utah, who’s one of the hottest teams in the league fighting for their lives, on their home court. We beat Toronto last Saturday.”
Danny Ainge: “I’m excited about the playoffs. I really am. Like, Terry Rozier and Shane Larkin, this is their opportunity. And Jaylen [Brown] and Jayson [Tatum] and Marcus Morris and [Al] Horford and [Aron] Baynes and Greg Monroe, I mean, the whole group. These guys are looking forward to playing in the playoffs. And we have the luxury to give them a little bit of rest without taking them completely out of rhythm in these last four games, which is very rare to be able to do heading into the playoffs.”
“Of course, we were hopeful that the first procedure would work and that Kyrie could play at some point in the playoffs,” said Ainge. “And then unfortunately we won’t have him now. He’s a huge part of our team and a huge part of our future. The good news is we feel like he’ll be better than ever come training camp.”
Michael Pina: Since Kyrie's last game, Boston is shooting 41% from deep. That is very good. They also rank 24th in offensive rating.
The Celtics will have to regroup with the playoffs poised to start a few days after the April 11 regular-season finale. “I look forward to hearing how loud in gets in the TD Garden during the playoffs and experiencing how intense the environment gets,” Irving said.
Kyrie Irving: The hardest thing to do sometimes is accept the uncontrollable things life throws at you. You try consistently to learn, grow, and prepare everyday to equip your mind, body, and spirit with tools to deal with some of those things, but I feel when those moments arise they all give you a sense of unfulfillment, simply because it puts some of your professional journey and goals on a brief hold.
Kyrie Irving: It's simply a test of your perseverance and Will, to be present, even in the wake of what's going on. In this case, finding out I have an infection in my knee is definitely a moment that I now accept and move past without holding on to the all the what ifs, proving the nay-Sayers completely f***ing wrong, and accomplishing the goals I've set out for the team and myself. This season was only a snapshot of what's to come from me. Trust Me. "The journey back to the top of Mt. Everest continues." #StandingRockSiouxTribe
This Saturday, Celtics guard Kyrie Irving will undergo a procedure to remove two screws implanted in his left patella after the patellar fracture he suffered during the NBA Finals in 2015. Following a mid-March procedure to remove a tension wire that had been implanted at the same time as the screws, pathology indicated the presence of a bacterial infection at the site of the hardware. To ensure that no infection remains in the knee, the screws will be removed. The fracture in Irving’s patella has completely healed, and his knee remains structurally sound. He is expected to make a full recovery in 4-5 months.
Gary Washburn: #Celtics say Kyrie Irving will undergo a second knee surgery to remove two screws and miss 4-5 months. Doctors discovered a bacterial infection caused by screws in first surgery. A five-month window means he should be ready for training camp.
In the aftermath of left knee surgery, All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving of the Boston Celtics will miss the rest of the regular season and playoffs, league sources told ESPN. The Celtics are expected to make an announcement soon, sources said.
The Celtics and Irving are evaluating further medical options to treat his left knee, sources said. The loss of Irving is a devastating blow for Boston's hopes of competing for the Eastern Conference championship.
Marc D'Amico: Tonight’s crew + Rozier and Larkin “will be our team when the Playoffs start,” says Brad Stevens. Basically eliminated any chance of Kyrie being back for the start of the postseason.
Chris Forsberg: Brad Stevens on Kyrie Irving: “I saw him yesterday, spent a lot of time with him. Spirits were good. Bending, extending his knee on a training table. No on-court videos. No 360 dunks."
Adam Himmelsbach: Stevens said he's texted more with Kyrie: "He wants to be here; he wants to play. Nothing new from that standpoint, but his spirits seem good."
Adam Himmelsbach: Stevens on Kyrie: "I’ve texted with him. Left him a message this morning & haven’t heard back. But the timeline will be determined on how he feels & how quickly he can get back on the court & everything else. There’s still a process after that too to be ready to play in a game."
Mark Murphy: Stevens not taking it for granted that either Irving or Smart will be back: "There’s a big difference between (basketball activity) and playing, so we don’t know when we’re going to have those guys back."
Bobby Marks: The timetable (3-6 weeks) for return on the Kyrie Irving injury now allows the Celtics to sign a 16th player to a 10-Day Contract. Boston has met the criteria by having four players (Irving, Gordon Hayward, Daniel Theis and Marcus Smart) miss three consecutive games to injury and each player unable to perform playing services due to injury or illness for a minimum of two weeks.
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.
Tim Bontemps: The playoffs start three weeks from today. It would seem more likely than not he won't be available in the first round. twitter.com/ESPNForsberg/s…
In your opinion do you think [Kyrie Irving] will be back for playoffs? A. Sherrod Blakely: I think he’ll be back fairly close to the start of the first round. Should have a better sense of his return timetable after he has his procedure tomorrow.
The Boston Celtics announced today that guard Kyrie Irving will tomorrow undergo a minimally invasive procedure to alleviate irritation in his left knee. Further information will be provided following tomorrow’s procedure, and the team will have no further comment until that time.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Timetable on a return will come after procedure on Saturday, bur source says that expectation is that this will help alleviate the soreness in knee. twitter.com/espnforsberg/s…
Mark Murphy: At least they're in the building. Kyrie Irving and Jaylen Brown both in street clothes on bench tonight.
Jared Weiss: Stevens asked about potential for Irving surgery: “I have not talked to him and I don’t want to speak for others.”
With the lack of progress on his ailing left knee, Boston Celtics All-Star guard Kyrie Irving will get a second opinion on the injury later this week, league sources told Yahoo Sports. Irving, 25, has missed the past three games for the Celtics to rest the knee. There had been hope last week that Irving would return Sunday against New Orleans, but he remained out. Because of the lack of comfort in Irving’s knee, there is no set date for his return, league sources said.
Jared Weiss: Brad Stevens on Kyrie Irving knee second opinion: He probably is not going to be on the trip. That knee has been sore, but he’s worked hard to mange it. He’s getting a second opinion which is why he’s not going on the trip. That’s smart of him.
Marc D'Amico: Brad Stevens on Kyrie Irving (out - knee soreness): “I think he’s feeling better and better. He just doesn’t feel 100%. Until then, he’ll remain out.”
Adam Kaufman: Danny Ainge told @985TheSportsHub his knee injury history was considered at time #Celtics traded for him, but long-term prognostication is good. Expected maintenance issues. May need surgery at some point in next few offseasons. Being extra cautious right now.
Brian Robb: Kyrie Irving is unlikely to play Friday but will travel with team Friday. His knee imaging came back looking good, according to Stevens.
Irving is likely to miss several games, but Ainge said he thinks that Irving is “going to be fine” moving forward this season. “Kyrie’s knee has bothered him, and we’re being very careful,” Ainge said. “What we don’t want to do is rush Kyrie back simply because we don’t have Marcus and Jaylen. We’ll do what’s best for Kyrie in spite of what’s happening to everybody else.”
Adrian Wojnarowski: There's confidence that Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving's left knee soreness is no more than tendonitis and that he will not need to miss significant time, league sources tell ESPN. Irving is considered day-to-day.
Irving, who missed a game last week after knee soreness initially flared, did not return for the second half of Sunday's game. Boston, already playing without All-Star big man Al Horford (illness) and Jaylen Brown (concussion), watched a 12-point lead evaporate as Indiana rallied for the win. "I think [rest] will probably be the best thing, just instead of kind of hoping it gets better over the two or three days that it usually does," Irving said. "It's aching a little bit more than I wanted it to now, so I'm taking the necessary time."
Chris Forsberg: Celtics say Kyrie Irving has left knee soreness and will not return. Irving played 16 first-half minutes but did not come out for the start of the second half.
A. Sherrod Blakely: Barring an unexpected hiccup between now and tip-off, #Celtics Kyrie Irving will play tonight vs the #Timberwolves.
Jay King: Danny Ainge on Kyrie Irving's knee: "I think that it's something that he'll have to manage the rest of his career. I don't think it's anything serious, but we want Kyrie healthy and fresh."
Boston Celtics All-Star guard Kyrie Irving is sitting out Monday night's game against the Chicago Bulls because of a sore left knee. Coach Brad Stevens says Irving aggravated the knee during Saturday's loss to Houston. He felt a little better the following day but was still sore on Monday.
Adam Himmelsbach: Kyrie: "I just want to make sure I’m as healthy as possible. At this point in the season it’s just about the big picture. I’m just trying to stay smart and kind of get out of my own way, and when it feels good, just get back out there."
Adam Himmelsbach: Kyrie: "Just been about two years coming off knee surgery, so when you have to do things like that and stay on top of it and make sure you’re doing the right thing, sometimes it may be a little extra, just from the demand you put on your body."
Steve Bulpett: Shane Larkin will start in Kyrie Irving's place v Bulls. Stevens doesn't want to mess with second team's recent proficiency.
Chris Forsberg: Celtics say Kyrie Irving is out vs Bulls with left knee soreness.
A. Sherrod Blakely: Both #Celtics Marcus Morris and Kyrie Irving are expected to play tonight vs the Toronto Raptors.
Jay King: Kyrie Irving said he will play tonight against the Toronto Raptors.
A. Sherrod Blakely: The #Celtics Kyrie Irving (right quadriceps bruise) and Marcus Morris (sore left hip/butt) are both questionable for Tuesday night game vs #Raptors.
Bill Doyle: Of the injured Celtics, Kyrie Irving and Marcus Morris are the most likely to play Sunday against Portland, according to Brad Stevens. Marcus Smart and Shane Larkin aren't as close to returning.
According to multiple sources, Kyrie Irving threatened to sit out the season and have surgery on his knee, convincing Gilbert and Cleveland's front office that the relationship with Irving was not salvageable. Irving's agent, Jeff Wechsler, declined to discuss what was said to the Cavs with cleveland.com, and Dan Gilbert did not personally respond to a request seeking comment.
According to sources, Kyrie Irving needs minor knee surgery as a follow to the procedure he underwent during the 2015 Finals to repair his broken knee cap. It's not pressing -- Irving is averaging 24.5 points and shooting a career-high .477 from the field -- but the procedure would ease some of the swelling and day-to-day pain he feels. Such a procedure is typically done in the offseason; but he threatened to not come to training camp (first reported by ESPN) and then have the procedure during the season, leaving the Cavs without a point guard. The Cavs chose to move Irving rather than call his bluff, which upset LeBron James, sources said.
Sean Grande: Kyrie Irving (shoulder) will play today. So, there's that.
Scott Souza: #Celtics Kyrie Irving: Structurally everything is good in my shoulder. I am going to do what is best, take a few days to strengthen it up even more, and hopefully go on Sunday.
Scott Souza: #Celtics coach Brad Stevens confirms NO Kyrie Irving tonight with shoulder soreness.
Marc D'Amico: #NEBHInjuryReport: Brad Stevens says Kyrie Irving will play tonight against Denver.
Chris Forsberg: Celtics say Al Horford will sit out Wednesday vs Nuggets for rest. Kyrie Irving (quad) is probable. Marcus Morris (knee) is out again.
On one brutal Friday night in November, all of Australia smacked Kyrie right in the face. The Melbourne native caught an errant elbow from Far East Queensland native Aron Baynes and suffered a small fracture in his face below his right eye. But the blows didn’t stop on the floor, as he was given an unfortunate welcome home from his young daughter. “My daughter hit me in my face the other day and, that right there, I almost teared up,” Irving said. “I did my absolute best not to cry in front of her. I was like, ‘Oh my goodness, baby.’ She hit me right on that spot. Like, literally right after. I came home and I was trying to put her to bed and she hit me right on that spot by mistake.”
The Boston Celtics are planning for point guard Kyrie Irving to play Tuesday against the Brooklyn Nets after missing their last game with a facial fracture. Irving participated in the Celtics' shootaround Tuesday morning and told reporters that he plans to wear a mask for Boston's game in Brooklyn.
Boston Celtics All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving will likely miss Sunday’s game against the Toronto Raptors because of a facial fracture but plans to get fitted for a mask and play through the injury, league sources told The Vertical. Irving suffered the minor facial fracture in the first minute of Friday’s win over the Charlotte Hornets when he was inadvertently hit in the face by teammate Aron Baynes. Irving is expected to have to wear the protective mask for two weeks, sources said.
Chris Forsberg: Celtics say Kyrie Irving suffered a minor facial fracture vs Charlotte. He is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game vs Raptors.
