Celtics Center Nikola Vucevic Breaks Ring Finger on Shooting Hand
celtics-vucevic-fractures-right-ring-finger
Boston Celtics center Nikola Vucevic fractured the ring finger on his right (shooting) hand during Friday night’s game against the Dallas Mavericks, the team announced. The injury occurred in the first quarter at TD Garden, and the 35-year-old veteran logged less than two minutes before leaving with team trainers.
X-rays taken at the arena confirmed the break, ruling Vucevic out for the rest of the contest. The Celtics said further information will be provided Saturday, one day before Boston visits the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Vucevic is playing on an expiring $21.5 million contract and will become an unrestricted free agent this summer unless he reaches a veteran extension with Boston before July 1.
The No. 16 overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft began his career with the Philadelphia 76ers, spent eight and a half seasons with the Orlando Magic, and joined the Chicago Bulls at the 2021 trade deadline. Chicago dealt him to Boston last month.
Entering Friday’s game, Vucevic had appeared in 11 matchups for the Celtics, averaging 11.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting .445 from the field, .351 from three-point range and .824 at the free-throw line in 23.5 minutes per game.
With Vucevic sidelined, backup center Luka Garza is expected to see the bulk of minutes at the five spot, according to MassLive’s Brian Robb.
Source: Hoops Rumors
