Maddie Meyer / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP
The Boston Celtics said centre Aron Baynes had successful surgery on his broken left hand on Thursday and will miss four to six weeks of NBA action.
The Australian big man was apparently hurt in the first quarter of Boston’s 111-103 loss to the Phoenix Suns when his hand struck the wrist of Deandre Ayton as the Phoenix rookie tried to make a pass.
Baynes stayed in the game briefly, pulling down a rebound and even making a dunk before exiting.
Celtics coach Brad Stevens said X-rays clearly showed the fracture.
“I saw the X-rays, so I can confirm that one,” Stevens said. “Even I could see the break.”
It’s another injury blow for Boston. Al Horford missed his sixth straight game on Wednesday with a knee injury. Forward Marcus Morris was a late scratch with a sore right knee and Guerschon Yabusele is sidelined with a sprained right ankle.
Baynes was averaging 5.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in 14 minutes per game for the Celtics.
AFP