Reports: Celtics' Leandro Barbosa suffers season-ending knee injury
By Ben Golliver
Celtics guard Leandro Barbosa has reportedly suffered a season-ending knee injury.
ESPN.com and CSNNE.com reported Tuesday that Barbosa tore the ACL in his left knee during the third quarter of a 94-91 loss to the Bobcats in Charlotte on Monday night.
With less than one minute to play in the third quarter and the Bobcats leading 75-70, Barbosa came up limping on a drive to the baseline. Replays showed no contact on the play; his left leg simply appeared to buckle and give way. He was unable to get back on defense and he was eventually carried off the court by his teammates. He did not return. The Celtics announced after the game that Barbosa would undergo an MRI on Tuesday.
"Thank you all for your messages and support," Barbosa tweeted on Tuesday. "It means a lot."
Barbosa becomes the third Celtics player in less than three weeks to suffer a season-ending injury. All-Star guard Rajon Rondo suffered a season-ending knee injury late in January; rookie forward Jared Sullinger opted for season-ending back surgery in early February.
Celtics coach Doc Rivers is down to three bodies in his backcourt: Avery Bradley, Courtney Lee and Jason Terry. Yahoo Sports reports that the Celtics will consider adding Shelvin Mack from the D-League.
Boston's loss to Charlotte snapped a seven-game winning streak. The Celtics are currently 27-24 and in seventh position in the Eastern Conference.
Barbosa, 30, signed with the Celtics in October. He averaged 5.2 points and 1.4 assists in 12.5 minutes per game in 41 appearances this season.
