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Boston Celtics must keep Kyrie Irving rested for playoff run

By Nicholas Frazier

DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 23: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics looks to the sidelines during the third quarter of the game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on February 23, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Boston defeated Detroit 110-98. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 23: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics looks to the sidelines during the third quarter of the game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on February 23, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Boston defeated Detroit 110-98. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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The Boston Celtics need to be cautious with Kyrie Irving

The Boston Celtics have had a continuous battle with the injury bug throughout the season. Sunday night’s game against the Indiana Pacers confirmed that Kyrie Irving is the latest Celtic to get bit.

Irving sat out the entire second half of Sunday’s 99-97 loss due to left knee soreness. He finished with seven points in 16 minutes and could only watch as the depleted Celtics blew a 10-point halftime lead.

In a post-game interview, the All-Star point guard said he started feeling sore a week earlier in a loss to the Rockets. Irving sat out the following game against the Bulls on Tuesday, then returned two days later to play 30 minutes in a 117-109 victory against the Timberwolves.

Irving fractured this same knee in Game 1 of the 2015 NBA Finals, suggesting he’s not done having problems with the injury. Danny Ainge confirmed as much last week during an interview with 98.5 the Sports Hub’s Toucher & Rich.

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“I think that it’s something that he’ll have to manage the rest of his career,” Ainge said. “I don’t think it’s anything serious, but we want Kyrie healthy and fresh.”

It always hurts to lose your best player at any point in the season, but the Celtics would be wise to give Irving extra time to recover with a month left in the regular season. Boston has essentially locked up a top-2 seed in the Eastern Conference already. They sit seven games ahead of the Pacers, seven and a half games ahead of the Cavaliers, and 8 games ahead of the Wizards.

Sure, the Celtics have a chance to catch the Raptors for the 1 seed, especially since the teams meet twice more this season. But if a shot at the top seed means risking a more serious knee injury for Irving, expect head coach Brad Stevens to keep his superstar on the bench.

“If he doesn’t feel 100 percent, then we need to have him sit, and so I think that that is something that we’ve all talked about,” Stevens said after the loss to the Pacers.

The decision to give Irving extended rest is made easier by the Celtics upcoming schedule. The Orlando Magic, Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Hawks, and Brooklyn Nets are all teams that are more focused on the NBA Draft in June.

Even without Irving and Jaylen Brown (concussion), the Celtics should have no problem defeating these cellar-dwellers. Winning these games plus a few more should be more than enough for Boston to earn a Top-2 seed. In short, Irving’s absence likely wouldn’t affect the team’s ranking whatsoever.

Irving said after the game that he’s not overly concerned about the knee and is open to extended rest. If that’s what it takes to have Irving fully healthy for the playoffs, the Celtics will surely keep Irving off the court.

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“I think taking games like this, being smart about it probably will put me in a better position not to be out for a long period of time,” Irving said. “That’s the last thing I want to do.”

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