Leon Powe Out For Playoffs

by Ryne Nelson

The Celtics’ luck can’t get much worse, can it? After dealing with the loss of team leader Kevin Garnett for the Playoffs, they lose their most efficient paint scorer as well.

Powe, who returned exactly one week ago from a sprained right knee, is expected to undergo surgery this week after an MRI revealed an ACL tear in his left knee.

According to an NBA source, Celtics forward Leon Powe is expected to have surgery on his injured left knee and will miss the remainder of the playoffs.

Powe had an MRI after injuring the knee in the second quarter of the Celtics’ 118-115 victory over the Bulls in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series Monday night. The injury was originally diagnosed as a sprain. It is uncertain whether further damage was found in the knee.

Coincidentally, the last time Boston played Chicago in the regular season, Powe sustained injury on his other knee. Not only is it a big blow to the Celtic frontcourt, it’s an awful thing to happen going into contract negotiation time. Players never seem to be the same after too many injuries at or below the knee. As if it’s any consolation, Brian Scalabrine is scheduled to return for Game 3. He better be ready, the Celtics really need him now.