It’s unfathomable that this would happen with a professional athlete and a medical staff tasked with evaluating a professional athlete. But it turns out that Celtics forward Danilo Gallinari actually does have a major knee injury.

According to Shams Charania, Gallinari has been diagnosed with a torn ACL after undergoing “further evaluation.” He specified that this is the same ACL Gallinari tore back in 2013.

Based on a follow-up from Shams, the second opinion came from the Celtics’ medical staff.

“The Celtics and Gallinari worked together this week on a complete, thorough analysis” of his knee injury, Shams said via Twitter on Friday. Gallinari originally suffered the injury during a game for Team Italy in a FIBA World Cup qualifier against Georgia, but initial reports suggested he’d avoided an ACL tear.

Tough news, and even tougher with the way Gallinari and the Celtics had to find out.

SAITAMA, JAPAN – AUGUST 03: Danilo Gallinari #8 of Team Italy goes up for a shot against against France during the second half of a Men’s Basketball Quarterfinal game on day eleven of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Saitama Super Arena on August 03, 2021 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Aris Messinis – Pool/Getty Images)

The Celtics later confirmed Gallinari’s season-ending ACL injury. The typical recovery time for the injury is six months at an absolute minimum, but often longer than that. The likelihood is that Gallinari will have to focus on being ready for the start of camp in the 2023-24 season.

Boston originally signed Gallinari to a one-year deal with an option for a second year, as they targeted veteran wing scoring off the bench. Rumors popped up in recent days that the C’s may be showing interest in Carmelo Anthony, ostensibly as a replacement for Gallinari.

But if Celtics President of Basketball Ops Brad Stevens is serious about populating his bench with a veteran wing who can shoot, he may now have to find that via trade. It wouldn’t be surprising if he did, considering his aggressive nature since taking the helm in the Celtics’ front office.

Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. You can also email him at [email protected].