Danilo Gallinari Apr 26, 2022; Miami, Florida, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Danilo Gallinari (8) dribbles the ball against Miami Heat guard Duncan Robinson (55) during the first half in game five of the first round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at FTX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Celtics forward Danilo Gallinari recently played for his home country of Italy in the FIBA World Cup qualifier last weekend, where he suffered a scary looking injury to his left knee.

After the game it was revealed after an MRI that Gallinari had suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee, which was a relief to many considering how severe the non-contact injury looked in real time.

Unfortunately for Celtics fans, a second diagnosis has come in from Boston that reveals a far worse diagnosis for the 34-year-old forward.

NBA insider Shams Charania reported on Friday that Gallinari has been diagnosed with a torn ACL in his left knee, which is the second time that he has sustained this devastating injury in his career.

Galinari signed a two-year $13.3 million contract with the Celtics back in July to be a key part of the team’s bench rotation, so this is certainly a blow to the team’s chances of returning to the NBA Finals next season.

Many around the NBA world are extremely disappointed to hear this unfortunate diagnosis for Gallinari on Friday.

 

Gallinari has long been one of the most underrated scorers in the NBA over his career, averaging over 10 points per game in every season after his rookie year.

It is a huge setback in his career, and he will now need to attempt to return to the NBA after a second ACL tear at 35 years old, which will certainly be increasingly more difficult.

Boston will now need to find a solid replacement for him as they attempt to replicate the success that the organization had last season, which may be difficult to do.

[Shams Charania]

About Reice Shipley

Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.