One of the Boston Celtics' reinforcements for the 2022-23 season may be out for some time.
Forward Danilo Gallinari, who signed a two-year, $13.3 million deal with the Celtics last month, went down with a non-contact knee injury while playing for Italy in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday. Per NBA reporter Marc Stein, Italy head coach Gianmarco Pozzecco fears it's a serious injury.
The injury occurred when Gallinari pulled up while running into the paint on a fastbreak during the first quarter. The 34-year-old immediately hopped off the court while holding his left knee, exiting the game on the next break in play.
Danilo Gallinari injury#Gallinari #ITAGEO pic.twitter.com/7vjD6QfxDT
Fortunately, initial exams showed Gallinari's ACL to still be intact, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania, so that's at least one bullet dodged. Gallinari has sustained an ACL injury before, missing the 2013-14 season due to an injury to the ligament.
Gallinari will still reportedly undergo an MRI on Sunday.
Gallinari landed with the Celtics this offseason after being traded from the Atlanta Hawks to the San Antonio Spurs as part of the Dejounte Murray trade, then getting waived by the rebuilding Spurs. He previously signed a three-year, $61.5 million contract with the Hawks in the 2020 offseason.
The Celtics likely added Gallinari for the reason most teams add Danilo Gallinari, to add a lengthy, veteran 3-point shooter to their forward rotation. Gallinari averaged 11.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game last season for the Hawks while shooting 38.1 percent from deep on 4.5 attempts per game.