Nikola Vucevic Injured, Latest News on Celtics Star's Status and Timeline to Return

Boston Celtics center Nikola Vučević left the team's matchup with the Dallas Mavericks on Friday due to a fractured right ring finger.

The Celtics announced Saturday that Vučević had successful surgery to stabilize the fracture and will be reevaluated in three-to-four weeks.

Vučević played just under two minutes in the first quarter of Friday's contest before having his hand examined by Boston's staff, eventually heading into the team's locker room.

The Celtics later ruled him out for the remainder of the game.

Vučević was appearing in his 12th game with Boston, as the team acquired him in a trade with the Chicago Bulls on Feb. 3. The Celtics sent guard Anfernee Simons and a second-round draft pick to Chicago in return.

While Vučević may no longer be the same player that earned two All-Star nods from 2019-21, the 35-year-old still crashed the glass and spaced the floor to open his tenure in Boston.

He averaged 11.4 points and 7.8 rebounds in 23.5 minutes per game as a Celtic heading into Friday's action, shooting 44.5 percent from the field and 35.1 percent from three-point territory.

Prior to the matchup with Dallas, Boston owned a plus-13.4 net rating with Vučević on the floor this season compared to a plus-3.4 net rating with him off (via NBA.com).

His injury is a particularly tough blow to the Celtics considering star forward Jayson Tatum was making his season debut against the Mavericks after suffering a ruptured Achilles during the the team's 2025 playoff run.

Without Vučević, Boston will rely on Neemias Queta and Luka Garza to lead its center rotation.