The Boston Celtics have been without one of their biggest recent free-agent additions all season, but there’s still hope that he can return during the 2023 NBA Playoffs.

Danilo Gallinari has been traveling with the team and continuing to progress through his rehab after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL in the fall. It’s been nearly seven months since the injury in early September, and Gallinari has been listed on the official injury report in every game, so there’s always been hope that his status can improve from the “OUT” tag.

• Gallinari spoke to reporters Thursday after practice, a portion of which you can see via NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg. He gave a lot of the phrases you’d want to hear from someone working his way back from an ACL tear. “Everything is going well.” He’s “on pace” with his rehab plan. When asked about a return during the playoffs, Gallinari continued to provide hope.

  “[Returning for the] playoffs is still in my head, that’s something that I’m looking forward to it,” Gallinari said. “I don’t know if it’s going to happen or not. But on a motivation standpoint, it’s always something that motivates me more. But I don’t know if it’s going to happen or not.”

• 

  Jan 3, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Boston Celtics forward Danilo Gallinari (8) during the second quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

• Obviously, Gallinari is in no position to diagnose himself or give his own timetable. But the first round of the playoffs will begin on April 15, giving him about three more weeks to return to 100 percent and get cleared to play.

  Even if he can’t return in time for the start of the playoffs, he will be seven months removed from surgery by the end of April. If and when the Celtics advance to the second round, barring a setback, there’s a very real possibility that Boston finally gets to see Gallinari in Celtics green.

• How do I feel IYO? 😎🔜🏀 pic.twitter.com/M4xM6L2BLi

  — DANILO GALLINARI (@gallinari8888) March 23, 2023

• Even at 34 years old and coming off an ACL injury, Gallinari should be able to deliver the kind of wing scoring off the bench that the Celtics have relatively lacked this season. In other words, the exact reason Brad Stevens signed him in the first place.

  Last year with the Hawks, Gallinari shot 38.1 percent from three-point range and 90.4 percent from the free-throw line. That kind of sharpshooting efficiency would be most welcome in the Celtics’ bench rotation.

• Click here for complete Boston Celtics coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.

  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. Check out all of Matt’s content here.

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