(Nick Laham/Getty Images)
by DANNY JAILLET
BOSTON— In what has already been a tough season for the Celtics, the team received some more saddening news today. Just five days after it was announced that point guard Rajon Rondo would miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL, Boston received more bad news on the injury front earlier this afternoon.
According to a report from Adrian Wojnarowski of YahooSports.com, rookie Jared Sullinger will miss the rest of the season, as he will undergo surgery on his injured back. His back has been troublesome for him the past couple of weeks. Most recently, he had to leave in the first quarter of Wednesday’s game against Sacramento due to his back issues, and according to the report, missed the Celtics practice on Thursday when the back pain became worse.
The Ohio State product was an asset on the hardwood this season. In 45 games, he averaged six points per game in addition to 5.9 rebounds per game. He had been moved into the Celtics starting lineup recently, and was in a prime position to make an big impact.
The reoccurring back troubles were a part of the reason why Boston was able to take him with the 21st overall pick in this past June’s draft. Pre-draft concerns about his health scared many teams away. It did not deter the Celtics though, who were eager to find a young, dominating presence inside the paint.
For now though, the Celtics and their fans will have to wait another year in order to see what one of the NBA’s brightest young stars can do at full strength.
