Infection in knee KO’s star guard
Kyrie Irving will need further surgery to relieve an infection in his left knee and will miss the Celtics’ postseason.
The new surgery, scheduled for tomorrow, will keep him out 4-5 months, the team estimated. Doctors believed they alleviated the cause of Irving’s left knee pain last month when they removed tension wire that aided the healing of the fractured kneecap he suffered during the 2015 NBA Finals. This latest procedure was termed “minimally invasive.” Surgeons left the screws in place, because they were not an issue and their removal could have meant a longer recovery.
As it was, Irving was expected to miss the first round of the playoffs, with the hope he could rejoin the lineup if the Celts advanced. The team was optimistic after the first surgery, saying he could return to basketball activities in 3-6 weeks.
But there was bad news a few days later when the pathology report on the removed wire came back. Bacteria was found, indicating an infection.
Irving sought further analysis, but because the wire was connected to the two screws that remained in his knee, it was determined that those screws needed to be removed.
The Celtics said yesterday that Irving’s knee is still structurally sound.
Irving reacted on Instagram, acknowledging he can’t control the situation.
“This season was only a snapshot of what’s to come from me. Trust me,” he said.
The Celtics will have to regroup with the playoffs poised to start a few days after the April 11 regularseason finale.
“I look forward to hearing how loud it gets in the TD Garden during the playoffs and experiencing how intense the environment gets,” Irving said.