ICYMI: Celtics' Recovering Gallinari Has Surprising Plans

When he tore up his ACL during the EuroLeague tournament last summer, it was largely expected that Danilo Gallinari's season with the Boston Celtics was over before it began. He wasn't expected to be able to return. 

But don't tell that to the rehabbing Gallo, who's been doing all he can for the past six months to try to be ready to join the Celtics for the playoffs. And he's still got that in his plans:

Danilo Gallinari said a playoff return is “still in my head” but he doesn’t know if he’ll be able to actually do it. Said he’s on schedule with his rehab but still has “a long way to go.”

— Jay King (@ByJayKing) March 23, 2023

Playoffs, it's still in my head. So that’s something that I’m looking forward to it. 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.

It was only a week ago that assistant GM Austin Ainge admitted that they can't completely count Gallinari out for a playoff appearance. "It's one of those things that you don't count on it but you're hopeful and you never rule a guy out ... We signed him with high hopes. He's working hard every day."

And even if he can't make it back this spring, he does have a player option for next year so it is still likely that Boston fans will see Gallo in Celtic Green at some point.

The 34-year-old has career marks of 15.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 38.2% shooting from beyond the arc, throughout his 13-year career.