The Celtics clean bill of health didn't last long, as Nikola Vučević fractured his right ring finger less two minutes after checking into the first quarter of the team's 120-100 win over the Dallas Mavericks Friday night at TD Garden.
According to a team's statement and medical update, Vučević underwent successful surgery to stabilize a fracture in his right ring finger and will be reevaluated in three-to-four weeks.
Vučević sustained the injury and had his hand examined by Boston's medical staff, before eventually heading into the team's locker room and was ruled out for the rest of the game Friday.
This latest injury comes on the same night that Jayson Tatum made his much anticipated return to the Celtics lineup after nearly 10 months of recovery from a torn Achilles. The All-Star forward was medically cleared and upgraded from questionable Thursday to available come Friday afternoon just hours prior to tip-off. It was the first time all season the C's had a clean injury report heading into the matchup against the Mavericks.
Friday also marked the 12th game for Vučević since being acquired by the Celtics ahead of the NBA trade deadline in exchange for Anfernee Simons to the Chicago Bulls. The 35-year-old big man was averaging 11.4 points and 7.8 rebounds in 23.5 minutes per contest while shooting 44.5% from the field and 35.1% from 3-point range before facing Dallas -- in all his appearances so far, except for one start, have been off the bench.
With Vučević out, and it being a tough blow for the Celtics this late in the season, they'll have to rely on Neemias Queta and Luka Garza as Tatum gets back into game shape.
The Celtics begin their mini three-game road trip in Cleveland Sunday, before they head to San Antonio Tuesday and Oklahoma City Thursday.
Joel Pavón
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