For a competitor like Boston Celtics point guard Kyrie Irving, being reduced to a mere spectator in the playoffs is a predicament that is very tough for him to accept. Celtics head coach Brad Stevens is among the first ones who will say that about Irving, who has not played in a game since undergoing a knee procedure back in March.
Via Jared Weiss of The Athletic:
Stevens on Kyrie’s emotions: “From our sit downs and casual conversations, he seems to be in a great place. It’s killing him to not be out there…his recovery is going well.”
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) May 23, 2018
Irving was initially given a recovery timetable of 3-6 weeks, which would have made him available to suit up right around the second round of the playoffs. However, he was later ruled out for the remainder of the season, including the playoffs. The news of Irving’s prolonged absence damped the Celtics’ chances of going deep in the postseason, which, to most people’s surprise, Boston is actually doing, as the team is now in the middle of a push-and-pull Eastern Conference finals series with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Before getting sidelined, Kyrie Irving was leading the Celtics with team-high numbers of 24.4 points and 5.1 assists in 60 games played in the regular season. His absence, though, has paved the way for the rise of Terry Rozier, who is doing a fantastic job of filling in as the Celtics’ starting point guard.
Irving arrived in Boston via a trade with the Cavaliers last year that also sent Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and a pair of draft picks to Cleveland. He is expected to be ready by the time the 2018-19 rolls around, but for now, he can only support his team from the bench.
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