Kyrie Irving out vs. Bulls, Possibly Longer with Knee Injury

The Boston Celtics will face the Chicago Bulls on Monday night without All-Star guard Kyrie Irving as he sits out with what the team is calling left knee soreness.

The Celtics announced Irving's absence on Monday's injury report. Celtics coach Brad Stevens said Irving didn't get an MRI, per Nick Fridell of ESPN Chicago, adding while Stevens didn't seem worried, Irving might be out for the rest of the week.

In addition to the Bulls game tonight, the Celtics play the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday and the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. 

Irving has been the engine driving the Celtics to the Eastern Conference's second-best record (44-20). The 25-year-old leads the team with 24.8 points and 5.1 assists per game.

As good as Irving's offense has been, his defense has been a pleasant surprise for the Celtics. He has already set a career high with 2.6 defensive win shares, per Basketball Reference.  

The Celtics have navigated this season without Gordon Hayward, who suffered a fractured tibia and dislocated ankle five minutes into the first game of the year. Losing Irving is another significant obstacle for head coach Brad Stevens to work around.  

Given that the injury is described as just soreness, the Celtics are deep enough to handle Irving's absence, especially against a struggling Bulls team. Marcus Smart can play either guard position, or Terry Rozier could handle the bulk of minutes at point guard until Irving comes back.