Danilo Gallinari tears ACL playing FIBA World Cup Qualifying

Danilo Gallinari (Bryan Horowitz, Wikimedia Commons)

The Boston Celtics received a major blow on Friday as it was reported by Jasmyn Wimbish and Michael Kaskey-Blomain of CBS Sports that Boston Celtics forward Danillo Gallinari of Sant’Angelo Lodigiano, Italy would miss an extended period of time after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament while playing for Italy against Georgia in 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifying on August 27. Despite Gallinari’s injury, Italy hung on to beat Georgia 91-84.

This was to be Gallinari’s first season with the Celtics. He signed a two-year deal worth $13.3 million on July 12. In 2021-22, Gallinari played 66 games with the Atlanta Hawks. As a power forward, he averaged 11.7 points per game, 4.7 rebounds per game, and 1.5 assists per game. Gallinari had a field goal percentage of .434, three-point percentage of .381, and free throw percentage of .904.

The Celtics were to be Gallinari’s sixth NBA franchise. He was previously with the New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder and Atlanta Hawks.

Interestingly this will be the second time that Gallinari has suffered an ACL injury. He missed the entire 2013-14 NBA season due to the ailment. It is very likely Gallinari will face a similar fate for the 2022-23 NBA season.

Gallinari was expected to play a key role coming off the bench for the Celtics this year. He would have brought versatility to the Celtics this season for his ability to play small forward, power forward and shooting guard. Now there will be added pressure on Malcolm Brogdon to produce at a high level, so they can limit the minutes for Jayson Tatum, Al Horford and Robert Williams.

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