The atmosphere at TD Garden on Friday night was supposed to be all about celebration, considering Jayson Tatum finally returned to the court after spending nearly10 months since suffering an Achilles injury. This gave the Boston Celtics fans plenty of reason to be excited.
However, while Tatum’s return brought positive energy to the arena, the night quickly took an unfortunate turn when troubling news surfaced about Boston’s midseason acquisition, Nikola Vučević.
Latest Revelation Regarding Nikola Vučević
During the second quarter of Friday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks, the Celtics announced that Vučević would not return due to a fracture in the ring finger of his right hand.
The update came in the middle of the game.
Boston Celtics center Nikola Vucevic has sustained a fractured right ring finger.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 7, 2026
He played for only around two minutes before he was seen holding his hand in visible discomfort as he walked off the court. With Vučević unable to continue, Luka Garza stepped in to replace him and finished out the remainder of the quarter for Boston.
Moreover, ESPN’s Shams Charania also revealed that Vučević will undergo a procedure on Saturday for his fractured ring finger.
Boston’s Nikola Vucevic is expected to undergo a procedure on Saturday for his fractured ring finger and miss approximately one month, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/AtHQEzstmI
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 7, 2026
MORE: Celtics HC Joe Mazzulla Makes a Heartfelt Admission About Jayson Tatum Ahead Of Injury Return
Vučević came into the league in the 2011-12 season after the Philadelphia 76ers selected him 16th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft, but he did not remain in Philly for long. Before the 2012-13 season started, he was shipped off to the Orlando Magic as part of the blockbuster Dwight Howard trade. Orlando became home for Vučević for nearly a decade.
In 2021, the Chicago Bulls brought him over in a trade. He spent four-plus seasons in Chicago before the Celtics acquired him last month in exchange for Anfernee Simons and a second-round pick. Vučević was primarily acquired to add some frontcourt depth as the Celtics push deep into the season.
The Celtics have exceeded expectations in a season that, until Friday, they’d played without Tatum. They entered Friday with a 41-21 record and the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Yet, losing Vucevic, even if it turns out to be a short-term absence, stings. Since arriving in Boston, he’s averaged 11.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists across 23.4 minutes over 11 games.
Now, with Vučević out, Boston will have to lean on their stars even more. Jaylen Brown was averaging 28.9 points coming into Friday’s game, and he will need to keep that level of play going. Then, all eyes will be on Tatum, who is still working his way back to full strength after his Achilles rehab.
Boston still has the talent and the depth to weather this latest obstacle. But there’s no denying that a finger fracture to a key frontcourt piece is the last thing a contending team needs during the stretch run to the postseason.
