Jermaine O'Neal may need surgery
In an appearance on the Dale and Holley show on WEEI, Jermaine O'Neal explained that he and the team are discussing surgery as a possible option.
"We had a meeting this morning to decide 'what may or may not have to be done' to fix this knee problem," said O'neal, while adding that surgery was something they had talked about before and may now be considering.
O'Neal has appeared in 17 of 38 games for the Celtics this year, averaging 5.2 points and 3.80 rebounds per game. After missing most of November and December with a knee injury, O'Neal returned Christmas Day against Orlando and played the next 10 games. However, he was a late scratch in last night's game with more swelling in his knee.
"I’m concerned," said Rivers before Wednesday's game. "Listen, he’s gone two weeks now and a practice, and his knee swelled up. First off, it has to be extremely frustrating for him. He worked his butt off to get back and he’s playing well. Secondly, we all have common sense and that’s the concern: Why is this happening? We have to figure that out."
The Celtics are low on big men with injuries to Kevin Garnett, Kendrick Perkins and now Jermaine O'Neal. Semih Erden and Luke Harangody look to continue to get extended minutes with O'Neal's absence.