Boston Celtics center Nikola Vučević, recently acquired from the Chicago Bulls, underwent successful surgery on Saturday to address a fracture in his right ring finger. The team announced that the veteran big man will be reevaluated in 3-4 weeks, meaning he is expected to miss at least three weeks of action, with a potential return timeline extending to about a month.
The injury occurred early in the first quarter of Friday night’s game against the Dallas Mavericks, where the Celtics secured a 120-100 victory. Vučević grabbed at his finger after the incident and did not return to the contest. The Celtics quickly ruled him out for the remainder of the game, and further examination confirmed the fracture in his right (shooting) hand.
The procedure, known as ORIF (Open Reduction and Internal Fixation) surgery, was performed at New England Baptist Hospital to stabilize the fracture. This type of operation is typically used for displaced breaks to ensure proper healing by realigning the bone and securing it with hardware.
Vučević, 35, was traded to the Celtics at the February 2026 trade deadline in exchange for guard Anfernee Simons and a future second-round pick. The move bolstered Boston’s frontcourt depth as they push for a strong playoff positioning. In his brief time with the Celtics so far this season, he has appeared in a limited number of games, averaging around 10.4 points and 7.2 rebounds in reduced minutes while adjusting to his new role.
Prior to the trade, Vučević had spent the previous five seasons with the Chicago Bulls, where he was a consistent starter and key contributor. In the 2025-26 season before the deal, he averaged 16.9 points and 9.0 rebounds per game across 48 appearances for Chicago. The acquisition marked his fourth NBA team after earlier stints with the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic.
The Celtics now face a temporary hit to their interior depth during a critical stretch of the regular season. Vučević’s absence could place more responsibility on other bigs in the rotation as Boston aims to maintain momentum toward the postseason. The team noted that further updates will be provided as his recovery progresses.
This setback comes as a tough blow for the recently acquired center, who was looking to contribute to a contender in what may be one of the later chapters of his 15-year NBA career. Fans and the organization will be monitoring his reevaluation closely in hopes of a swift and full recovery.