Mickael Pietrus Likely Has Concussion, Cleared to Travel

Posted by Brian Robb on Mar 24, 2012 281691 commenthttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F2012%2F03%2F24%2Fmickael-pietrus-likely-has-concussion-cleared-to-travel%2FMickael+Pietrus+Likely+Has+Concussion%2C+Cleared+to+Travel2012-03-24+22%3A51%3A57Brian+Robbhttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F%3Fp%3D28169

In the first bit of relatively good news the C’s have have encountered health-wise over the last few weeks, it appears veteran swingman Mickael Pietrus escaped a severe injury, as our friend Chris Forsberg of  ESPNBoston passed along the news today that should allow C’s fans breath a huge sight of relief:

Pietrus’ agent, William McCandless, said Saturday that he was informed the X-ray and CT scans administered Friday night revealed no abnormalities, though Pietrus might have a concussion. Although Pietrus will undergo more tests and is still waiting for conclusive results from an MRI, there’s optimism that he will indeed return to the court this season.

 Pietrus suffered the injury when he crashed hard to the floor Friday night during the second quarter of the Celtics’ 99-86 loss in Philadelphia. He was immobilized and taken from the court on a stretcher and transported to a local hospital.

“He was a very lucky man,” said McCandless, who spoke with Pietrus and said the player’s first question to an assistant at McCandless’ agency was who won the game.

Pietrus was not admitted to the hospital, but spent the night in the area. He will fly home Saturday afternoon to Boston, where he will be re-evaluated by the Celtics’ medical staff.

We won’t know more about the condition of Air France until tomorrow in all likelihood when Doc Rivers speak before the game, but it’s incredibly nice for a change to see a potentially serious health situation come up on the other side of the coin for the C’s and the player himself.

From a basketball perspective, expect the return of Pietrus to the floor to come in the matter of days instead of weeks. And with the C’s heading into the most challenging part of their schedule, fighting for their playoff lives while they’re at it, the return of their most productive bench player sooner rather than later should bring a smile to everyone’s face.