As if there are not enough issues swirling around the Celtics right now….
Jermaine O’Neal — the best true center left on the Celtics roster — will be out at least two more weeks due to an injured left wrist that has bothered him since last season, the Boston Herald reports.
After meeting with a hand specialist yesterday, O’Neal decided to forgo surgery once again, instead opting for a cortisone shot. According to Celtics president Danny Ainge, O’Neal could be out for another 14 days while waiting for the pain-killing drug to do its work.
“He’s going to need surgery at some point,” said Ainge. “But he’ll play with it for now. He needed the surgery last season but wanted to play. Now, though, they think he’ll be ready to play in another 10 or 14 days.”
O’Neal is not putting up big stats — five points and five rebounds a game — but his size in the paint is a key addition to the Celtics defense, and he gives them a chance to get some points out of the five spot. Which they need.
But will not have for a couple weeks.
