Boston Celtics forward Danilo Gallinari tore his left meniscus while playing for the Italian national team in a FIBA World Cup qualifier against Georgia on Saturday.
Gallinari had the injury in the fourth quarter with over nine minutes remaining, as he went to the baseline during a fast-break holding his left knee. Unable to stand on his own, teammates and coaches had to carry him out.
Former NBAer Luigi Datome was in somber spirits, talking post-game how tough it was to think about Gallinari’s injury:
"“It’s tough to talk about basketball after what what we saw happen to Danilo,” Italy captain Luigi Datome said after the team’s 91-84 win. “We wish him, of course, the best.”"
According to ESPN, there is no available timetable for recovery as Gallinari will miss next month’s EuroBasket tournament for Italy.
Depending on how long Gallinari is out, this comes as a blow to the Celtics’ bench depth. They signed him over the summer after the Atlanta Hawks traded him to the San Antonio Spurs, who eventually waived him.
Having spent the last two seasons with Atlanta, Gallinari averaged 12.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game on 43.4 percent shooting from the field and 39.2 percent from beyond the arc. He was crucial to the team’s remarkable run to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021, putting up 12.8 points and 3.9 rebounds on a 42.5 field-goal percentage and a 40.5 three-point percentage throughout the postseason.
The Boston Celtics added the 34-year-old veteran to strengthen their scoring off the bench and floor spacing with the hopes of making a second straight NBA Finals appearance and winning their 18th title in franchise history.
With the injury, Sam Hauser could be expected to step in and contribute in Gallinari’s stead for the second unit. Other options include potential signings Justin Jackson and Noah Vonleh to supplement his production.