Celtics' Irving plans rest period to aid knee
Kyrie Irving, who missed the second half of the Boston Celtics' 99-97 loss to the visiting Indiana Pacers on Sunday, likely will sit out some upcoming action due to left knee soreness.
"It's just been aching for a little bit," Irving said. "I just think I need to take some time. ...
"I think (rest) will probably be the best thing, just instead of kind of hoping it gets better over the two or three days than it usually does. It's aching a little bit more than I wanted it to now, so I'm taking the necessary time."
The star guard doesn't believe the injury will affect his preparation for the postseason, which starts in mid-April.
"I'm not concerned. Where we are in the season, I'm pretty comfortable," Irving said. "I think that, competitively, I think that's more or less what I'm concerned about. When I actually do get back on the floor, I want to feel the level I expect myself to be at and I want to play at and being able to sustain it. Right now, I'm not able to do that. I just got to do that."
Asked about the possibility of eventually needing knee surgery, Irving replied, "I don't know. I hope not. I've been down that road before. I've had a fractured kneecap already. So I think taking games like this, being smart about it probably will put me in a better position not to be out for a long period of time. That's the last thing I want to do."
Irving scored seven points Sunday on 3-of-6 shooting and grabbed four rebounds in 16 first-half minutes, but he did not join the team on the court when the second half began. He was ruled out shortly afterward.
The knee has been problematic for Irving throughout the season, and the 25-year-old most recently missed a March 5 win in Chicago because of it.
Irving is the Celtics' leading scorer, and his average of 24.4 points per game ranks 11th in the NBA.
--Field Level Media
