As if there wasn't already enough attention on the Boston Celtics as they enter the All-Star break, point guard Kyrie Irving has been ruled out for Tuesday's contest versus the Philadelphia 76ers due to a right knee strain. But the hits keep on coming as head coach Brad Stevens essentially admitted that he wasn't sure when Irving would next take the court.
Brad Stevens admitted that he is unsure when Kyrie Irving will return from his injury, adding that the 26-year-old's status for Wednesday's showdown with the Detroit Pistons is still up in the air.
“Kyrie’s not going [to Philadelphia]. I have no idea what that means for Wednesday. Not playing [Tuesday],” Stevens said, per Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston.
The absence for Irving against the Sixers will be his 10th of the year and sixth since Jan. 14 as the All-Star point guard has seen his health status fluctuate. When Irving's been able to play, he has been masterful, averaging season highs of 25.7 points and 8.1 assists per contest in the month of January.
With Irving out versus the Sixers, Terry Rozier figures to step into the starting point guard role, a position he has thrived in. In nine games as a starter in 2018-19, Rozier has averaged 14.2 points, 5.9 assists and 5.6 rebounds per game, as opposed to the 8.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists he has logged in 47 games off the bench.
Boston has proven that they can win without Irving in the past, getting as far as the Eastern Conference Finals last season before ultimately falling to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Should the team err on the side of caution and hold out Irving until after the break, his next chance to suit up comes Feb. 21 against the Milwaukee Bucks.
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