Gallinari tears ACL playing for Italy
The Celtics said Friday that Danilo Gallinari tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee while playing for Italy during a FIBA World Cup qualifier against Georgia last month.
Gallinari tore the same ligament in 2013. The Celtics didn’t provide a timeline for the forward’s return. But such injuries typically involve a recovery process of up to a year, meaning it would be unlikely for the veteran to play this season.
The Celtics signed Gallinari to a two-year, $13 million contract in July. He averaged 11.7 points for the Hawks last season. The 34-year-old Gallinari is averaging 15.6 points over 13 NBA seasons with the Hawks, Knicks, Nuggets, Clippers and Thunder.
Video of the injury shows Gallinari receiving a pass on a fast break and taking a step before he starts to hobble. In the days afterward Gallinari initially expressed he was diagnosed with a meniscus injury.
In an Instagram post shortly after the team announced his new diagnosis, Gallinari said he would work to return to action as soon as possible.
“This has been a tough week for me as I have learned the extent of my injury,” the post read. “This game means everything to me and not being able to be on the court with my Celtics teammates hurts. I plan to give everything I can to the Celtics organization and my teammates as we hunt for a title.”
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Olympics: A cap designed for Black swimmers’ natural hair that was banned from the Tokyo Olympics has been approved for competitive races. Swimming governing body FINA said on Friday the Soul Cap was on its list of approved equipment. “Promoting diversity and inclusivity is at the heart of FINA’s work,” executive director Brent Nowicki said in a statement, “and it is very important that all aquatic athletes have access to the appropriate swimwear.” The Soul Cap was designed larger than existing styles to protect thick and curly hair.
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