Brad Stevens Says Celtics 'Feel Great' About Kyrie Irving's Recovery

The Celtics' coach is pleased with Kyrie's recovery to date.

The Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks' Game One was the most exciting matchup of the playoffs so far. Somehow, Malcolm Brogdon's game-tying three-pointer with 12 seconds remaining was only the third-most clutch shot in regulation. Terry Rozier then drilled a stepback three (what exactly was Eric Bledsoe doing?), and Khris Middleton tied it up with a three from just inside the midcourt line at the buzzer.

Boston pulled out the W in overtime. It was a crazy game.

Miraculously, Boston keeps winning. Despite injuries to three of the team's most important players—Gordon Hayward, Kyrie Irving, and Marcus Smart—as well as key bench forward Daniel Theis, the Celtics are still hanging in there. 

The loss of Irving, whom the team shut down two weeks ago, was especially devastating. He'll watch the playoffs from the sidelines as he recovers from left knee surgery. The timetable on his return isn't clear at this point, but it's possible recovery could take all the way until the start of next regular season.

Boston fans have reason to take heart, though. Brad Stevens seems pleased with Irving's recovery to date.

Brad on Kyrie: “Talking to our training staff and the people that are working most closely with him, they feel great about his early [recovery]. That’s exciting, that’s encouraging."

Irving's left patella surgery was described as a success.

Celtics say guard Kyrie Irving had surgery today to remove two screws in his left patella. “The surgery went exactly as planned, and we expect Kyrie to be fully healthy for training camp in the fall,” said Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge.

It seems Kyrie should be back to being himself, hopefully, by next season. This season, the 26-year-old averaged 24.4 points, 5.1 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game. 

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