Celtics forward Danilo Gallinari diagnosed with torn ACL on the same knee he injured in 2013
Danilo Gallinari's 2022 season ended before it even started.
The veteran forward reportedly tore the ACL on his left knee, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania. It's the same injury he suffered in 2013 that forced him to miss the entire season.
He injured his knee in a FIBA qualifying game for the Italian national team on August 27. He was originally diagnosed with a meniscus tear following the non-contact injury, but clearly, the second opinion revealed more damage.
Gallinari signed a two-year, $13.3 million contract with the Celtics this offseason after being traded to and eventually waived by the San Antonio Spurs. He spent the previous two seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, averaging 12.4 points per game in 24.7 minutes per game. The 13-year veteran averaged 15.6 points per game, 4.8 rebounds per game and 1.9 assists per game. Gallinari also shoots 38.2 percent from behind the arc.
It's a big blow to the Celtics, who were planning to rely on Gallinari's production off the bench. It would have also been the first time Gallinari picked the team he played for after being traded from the New York Knicks to the Denver Nuggets to Oklahoma City Thunder to the Hawks and finally to the Spurs since his career started in 2008.
The Celtics will need to replace Gallinari somehow, and one report suggests Boston could be interested in Carmelo Anthony.
