Boston Celtics big man Jared Sullinger is out indefinitely after X-rays on Thursday revealed a stress reaction in his left foot.
Sullinger said he felt some discomfort in the foot the day after Boston closed the first half of the season with a win over the Atlanta Hawks on Feb. 11.
Sullinger removed himself from Boston’s practice when the team reconvened in Sacramento on Wednesday.
“Jared is going to be out a while,” said Celtics coach Brad Stevens. “Supposedly it happened in the Atlanta game and he was talking a little bit about it [Wednesday], with regard to feeing some discomfort and so he went through a little bit of practice, then pulled himself out. Ed took him to get the X-ray [Thursday], so that’s not good news on the Jared front, that’s for sure.”
Added Stevens: “He’s not going to play on this trip, and I don’t anticipate him playing any time soon.”
Sullinger wore a protective walking boot over his left foot as he watched practice. He was emphatic that he wouldn’t need surgery, but admitted there’s no immediate timetable for his return.
“They didn’t tell me a lot, they just told me I’d be out a little bit,” said Sullinger. “It sucks, honestly. Especially with the type of [playoff] push we’re trying to make. For me to not be a part of it on the court — I’m trying to help the team from different angles.”