Kyrie Irving injury update: Celtics star seeking second opinion on ailing knee

Joe Rodgers
March 20, 2018 22:15 MYT
Kyrie Irving's knee injury wasn't supposed to cause the Celtics star to miss significant time but after more than two weeks of discomfort he's now seeking more information.

According to multiple reports, Irving is planning to travel for a second opinion later this week due to a lack of progress on his ailing left knee.

Irving revealed his knee initially began to flare up during the Celtics' March 3 loss to the Rockets. He sat out of the team's March 5 win over the Bulls before making his return in March 8's win over the Timberwolves, but decided to proceed with caution when the aching resumed March 11.

The pain Irving is experiencing is in his surgically repaired knee and screws once inserted have caused recent flare-ups. He can either opt for surgery to have the screws removed or play through the pain.

My understanding is that Kyrie Irving is getting a 2nd opinion on his left knee, perhaps as soon as tomorrow. Bottom line: he needs the screws out. Knee is flaring up. He will either play thru it going forward or ... he will get thee screws out and won't play at all. Stay tuned.

— Tony Massarotti (@TonyMassarotti) March 20, 2018
There remains no structural damage in Irving's sore left knee, league sources tell ESPN. Belief is still rest is the best remedy for his eventual return. https://t.co/8iMGkb9OHT

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 20, 2018
Despite the setback, Irving said earlier this month he is confident he'll get back to his All-Star form in no time.

"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."

Irving is averaging 24.4 points and 5.1 assists through 60 games this season. Meanwhile, the Celtics have clinched a playoff spot and are five games behind the Raptors for first place in the Eastern Conference with 12 games left in the regular season.

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