The Boston Celtics will be without center Nikola Vucevic for roughly a month after he sustained a fractured right ring finger, NBA insider Shams Charania reported Friday. Vucevic is scheduled for a procedure Saturday, which will sideline him during a critical part of the 2025-26 season.
Vucevic, 35, has averaged 10.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 21.6 minutes per game across 12 appearances this season. Despite limited minutes, he has provided veteran presence in Boston’s frontcourt.
The injury comes as the Celtics hold a 42-21 record, sitting second in the Eastern Conference behind the Detroit Pistons. Boston has won eight of their last ten games, but the absence of Vucevic could test the team’s depth against playoff-caliber opponents.
Boston relies heavily on its versatile frontcourt rotation, including Neemias Queta and Payton Pritchard, to cover interior scoring and rebounding. Vucevic’s 1.7 offensive rebounds per game and 5.5 boards on the defensive glass highlight the gap Boston will need to address while he recovers.
Vucevic’s absence also impacts Boston’s spacing and floor dynamics. He has connected on 35.1% of three-point attempts this season, stretching defenses and allowing perimeter players like Jaylen Brown, who averages 28.8 points per game, more room to operate.
