Celtics' Vucevic Provides Update on Hand Injury

Boston big man hopeful to return before playoffs after breaking hand in recent game.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 12:22am

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Boston Celtics center Nikola Vucevic provided an update on his hand injury, revealing he broke his hand in a recent game but is hopeful to return before the playoffs. Vucevic said the injury occurred on a "freaky play" where his fingers got caught with another player, causing a "little pop" that he knew was a problem right away.

Why it matters

Vucevic has been a key part of the Celtics' frontcourt since joining the team, so his absence due to injury could impact their playoff positioning and chances. The Celtics will need Vucevic healthy and in rhythm if they hope to make a deep postseason run.

The details

Vucevic said the X-ray showed a break in his hand, which he described as "frustrating" given the timing. However, he noted he can still do some on-court work during his recovery, which he hopes will help him get back in rhythm quickly once cleared to return. Vucevic did not provide a specific timeline for his return but said he's aiming to potentially play a few games before the playoffs start.

  • Vucevic suffered the hand injury in a recent game.
  • He is hoping to return in around 3 weeks, before the playoffs begin.

The players

Nikola Vucevic

A veteran NBA center who was traded to the Boston Celtics this season.

Boston Celtics

An NBA team based in Boston, Massachusetts.

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What they’re saying

“The good thing is I can still do some stuff on the court. That will help me for when I come back ... hopefully I get a couple games before the playoffs, get back in rhythm with the guys that week between regular season and playoffs, everything's going as smoothly as possible.”

— Nikola Vucevic, Celtics Center

What’s next

Vucevic will have his hand re-evaluated in 3 weeks to determine if he can begin ramping up basketball activities and potentially return before the playoffs.

The takeaway

Vucevic's injury is a setback for the Celtics, but his positive outlook and ability to stay engaged with some on-court work during his recovery suggests he could rejoin the team in time to find his rhythm before the playoffs start, which would be a big boost for Boston's title hopes.