The Boston Celtics on Friday announced that forward Danilo Gallinari tore his the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee while playing for Italy during a FIBA World Cup qualifier against Georgia last month. 

The 34-year-old is currently recovering and would likely miss play this season. Gallinari had torn the same ligament in 2013.

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“Danilo Gallinari has been diagnosed with a torn ACL in his left knee. Gallinari sustained the injury while playing for his home nation of Italy in a FIBA World Cup qualifier against Georgia on August 27. Further updates will be provided as appropriate,” the Celtics tweeted. 

While the NBA outfit didn’t provide a timeline for the forward’s return, the typical recovery time for an ACL tear is six to 12 months. A source told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that Gallinari is determined to try and return at some point late in the 2022-23 season.

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The Celtics signed Gallinari to a two-year, $13 million contract in July. He averaged 11.7 points for Atlanta last season.

The 34-year-old Gallinari is averaging 15.6 points over 13 NBA seasons with the Hawks, New York, Denver, the Los Angeles Clippers and Oklahoma City.

Video of the injury shows Gallinari receiving a pass on a fast break and taking a step before he starts to hobble. In the days afterward Gallinari initially expressed he was diagnosed with a meniscus injury.

In an Instagram post shortly after the team announced his new diagnosis, Gallinari said he would work to return to action as soon as possible.

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“This has been a tough week for me as I have learned the extent of my injury,” the post read. “This game means everything to me and not being able to be on the court with my Celtics teammates hurts. I plan to give everything I can to the Celtics organization and my teammates as we hunt for a title.”

Since being drafted in the first round by the Knicks in 2008, Gallinari bounced around before helping Atlanta make a surprise Eastern Conference finals run in 2021.

The Celtics were hoping Gallinari and Malcolm Brogdon, another free agency pickup, could bolster their rotation after falling to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.