Boston Celtics: Are Injuries Going To Ruin Their Dreams of Being 2011 Champs?

Kendrick Perkins. Rajon Rondo. Paul Pierce. Kevin Garnett.

These are the four starting Boston Celtics players effected by injuries most recently.

It's June 2010, Game 6 of the NBA Finals, first quarter. Boston's Kendrick Perkins and LA's Andrew Bynum are both going for a rebound. Who came away with that rebound isn't nearly as important as the result, a knee injury suffered by Perkins.

Since that injury, Perkins has been through surgery on his ACL and months of rehab. He has been able to participate minimally in practice with the use of a knee brace, but it is still unknown when he will be able to return and play.

Rajon Rondo has had to sit out quite a few games this season, due to a sore hamstring as well as an ankle sprain. He has since been able to return and his first game back was against the Toronto Raptors on January 2. The Celtics got the W. Unfortunately, that was with little help from Rondo, who only managed 4 points and had 5 turnovers.

The same game that Rondo is able to return, Paul Pierce suffers an ankle sprain, thankfully not as serious as the one previously suffered by Rondo. He was able to return the very next day, and managed fine, leading the team with 23 points in a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Kevin Garnett suffered a strained right calf in a loss against the Pistons on December 29. Today, KG was able to do some activity in the weight room, but has not returned to practice yet.

Currently, the Celtics are 26-7, and taking on the 29-5 San Antonio Spurs tonight. The Celtics were on a 14-game winning streak before a loss to the Orlando Magic.

The average age of the injured players is 29 1/4.