Aron Baynes suffered a hand injury in the Boston Celtics recent game against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night in Boston. The Australian big man went to deflect a Deandre Ayton pass and initially didn’t appear to make anything of it.
This appears to be the moment when Aron Baynes injured his left hand, as he fought for a rebound. You'll see him look at the hand at the very end of the clip. pic.twitter.com/9giIZeRWiu
— Marc D'Amico (@Marc_DAmico) December 20, 2018
But after further review and examination, it appears that Baynes actually suffered a relatively serious injury that will sideline him going into the new year.
Shams Charania of The Athletic first reported the news of Baynes missing up to a month. The Celtics officially listed Baynes as out indefinitely.
Boston Celtics center Aron Baynes has suffered a broken left hand and will undergo surgery, per league sources on @TheAthleticNBA @WatchStadium. Baynes is expected to return in a month.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 20, 2018
#NEBHInjuryReport Aron Baynes has been diagnosed with a left fourth metacarpal fracture and is out indefinitely.
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 20, 2018
Celtics president of basketball operations and general manager Danny Ainge recently did a radio interview and confirmed Baynes will be getting surgery and the team is not looking to add anyone externally with a pair of players on the mend from their respective injuries.
Danny Ainge said on @Toucherandrich that Aron Baynes will have surgery today to put pin in finger.
Ainge said he does not expect to seek roster help with Baynes out, noting that Guerschon Yabusele and Al Horford should be back soon. He also expects Marcus Morris to play Friday.
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) December 20, 2018
Baynes finished Wednesday’s contest with four points in two minutes. On the season, Baynes is averaging 5.5 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in a reserve role sometimes starting at center if injuries or the matchup require him to do so. He signed a two-year, $11 million deal over the summer to return to Boston.
He’s been a servicable big man in Boston’s rotation and his absence will be notable when Boston matches up with teams that use a traditional big man in their offense. For now, the C’s will rely on rookie Robert Williams to fill some center minutes as starting center Al Horford nears his return to the lineup after missing some games.
