Danilo Gallinari is going to miss a lot more time than previously thought.
The Celtics announced on Friday that the veteran forward has been diagnosed with a torn ACL in his left knee after receiving further evaluation.
Should the Celtics sign Carmelo Anthony?
Gallinari injured the knee while playing in a FIBA World Cup qualifier for the Italian national team last weekend and was initially diagnosed with a torn meniscus, but no ACL or ligament damage. That probably would have kept him out until November or December if it were true.
Unfortunately for Gallinari and the Celtics, that diagnosis proved to be incorrect. A torn ACL is likely a season-ending injury. At best, Gallinari might have an outside shot at returning sometime around the postseason.
It's a brutal blow for the Celtics just a few weeks away from the start of training camp. Gallinari was signed this offseason to provide some front-court scoring off the bench, and his absence will leave the team pretty thin up front.
Gallinari tore the same ACL in 2013.
Reports emerged this week that the Celtics were "considering" signing Carmelo Anthony in the wake of Gallinari's injury. It will be interesting to see if they do pursue that or a similar move now.