Daniel Theis, who played eight years of international basketball, has been a pleasant surprise in his first NBA season. The 25-year-old Celtics big man has been a regular rotation guy for Brad Stevens. Theis, who went undrafted in 2013, is playing 14.9 minutes per night and averaging 5.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.
The Celtics, however, will not have the key bench player for the remainder of the season. Theis suffered a knee collision Sunday in the Celtics’ 99-97 loss to the Pacers (perhaps a preview of a future playoff matchup). Yahoo’s plugged-in NBA reporter, Shams Charania, is reporting Theis suffered a torn meniscus and needs to have surgery. Theis’ recovery will sideline him for the rest of the year.
Sources: Celtics center Daniel Theis has suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee and will undergo season-ending surgery. Theis emerged as an important reserve for Boston this season.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 12, 2018
Stevens initially did not seem too concerned about the injury.
“He walked into the training room as I was leaving,” Stevens said after Sunday’s game. “He said he felt a little better. I think he got kneed, but I don’t think that that’s anything more than a knee-to-knee or knee-to-thigh — right above his knee.”
Theis, who has played on Germany’s national team, signed with the Celtics in July 2017. The 6-foot-9, 240-pound power forward has keen court awareness and a knack for grabbing offensive boards.
Boston is reeling from injuries. The Celtics, already down Gordon Hayward, who broke his leg in the first game of the season, are now playing without Theis, Al Horford (illness), and Jaylen Brown (concussion). Additionally, Kyrie Irving sat out the second half of Sunday’s game with knee soreness.
Outside of Theis, and obviously Gordon Hayward, no Celtics are expected to be out long term. But currently team is down:
Kyrie Irving
Jaylen Brown
Al Horford
Gordon Hayward
Daniel Theis
Shane Larkin is still on a minutes restriction. And Marcus Smart finished last night in pain.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) March 12, 2018
Though Irving’s injury does not appear serious, he may miss a few games as he attempts to heal and rest before the home stretch.
Kyrie Irving sounded like he is open to shutting it down for a bit to address sore knee issue.
— Brian Robb (@BrianTRobb) March 12, 2018
The Celtics are currently 3.5 games behind Toronto for first in the East. If the season ended today, Boston would play Miami in the first round of the playoffs.
