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In the aftermath of left knee surgery, Boston Celtics All-Star guard Kyrie Irving will miss the rest of the regular season and playoffs, league sources told ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 5, 2018
Such a tragic turn of events. I don’t care who it is, whether they play for a rival or not, you hate to see something like this. The NBA is at its best when the players are healthy. Not being able to watch a guy like Kyrie do his thing in the playoffs is detrimental to any fan of basketball. I’m not the first to say this, but there’s been so many damn injuries this year, it just sucks. No other way to put it.
Considering Kyrie’s injury, the Sixers likely feel even more obliged to strive for the 3rd seed. The Celtics are pretty close to being a lock for the 2nd seed, and even without Kyrie, they’re well coached and deep enough to make it through the 1st round against an opponent like the Bucks, the Heat or the Wizards. With that said, they’d be the most favorable draw for the Sixers if they are also to advance to the 2nd round.
I don’t see anyway the Toronto Raptors or the Cleveland Cavaliers are eliminated in Round 1. So a realistic Eastern Conference Semifinals looks like a quartet of the Sixers, Cavs, Raptors and Celtics. If that’s the case, the Sixers only draw the Celtics if the Sixers can get to the 3rd seed.
Playoff outlook aside, Philadelphia sends its well wishes, Kyrie. Get back to 100% so this rivalry between the Sixers and the Celtics can take off.