SALT LAKE CITY -- Boston Celtics big man Kelly Olynyk got a second opinion on his bruised right shoulder on Thursday, and president of basketball operations Danny Ainge estimates Olynyk will miss at least two weeks of game action.
Olynyk will not require surgery, Ainge said. Boston's medical staff is working with the Los Angeles-based specialist who evaluated Olynyk on Thursday to craft a rehab plan.
"It's still sore, and he received treatment throughout the All-Star break in Canada from his trainer there. He definitely won't be playing for the next couple weeks, it looks like," Ainge said. "But we're not sure. Right now it's still sore and bothering him, and we don't need any surgery or [have] any long-term fears for him. But right now it's a short-term ailment that will keep him on the sidelines for, I'm guessing -- this is just a guess -- two weeks. I probably shouldn't say a word, but that's just what I think. We'll see though."
Olynyk suffered the bruised right shoulder when he was fouled by Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan in the first half of an overtime victory on Feb. 10. Both Olynyk and Ainge said in the immediate aftermath that they expected Olynyk to be ready when Boston reconvened in Utah on Wednesday, but soreness lingered.
The Celtics flew rookie big man Jordan Mickey to Utah on Thursday, and he joined the team during its afternoon practice. Mickey, sidelined since mid-January while rehabbing a high ankle sprain, could stick around for emergency depth while Olynyk rehabs. Mickey was originally scheduled to join the Maine Red Claws of the D-League on Thursday.
Boston still has a logjam of bigs after Thursday's trade deadline passed. Olynyk's minutes are likely to fall to backup center Tyler Zeller, while the Celtics can also go small with Jae Crowder and Jonas Jerebko at the power forward spot.
Ainge said Olynyk's injury was unlikely to have an impact on the team's impending discussion with forward David Lee about a potential buyout. Lee, who has not played since Jan. 10, is expected to seek a buyout because of his reduced role.
"I will sit down with David and his representatives and have some conversation about what's best for us and what's best for David in the next 24 to 48 hours," Ainge said.
For the season, Olynyk is averaging 10.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists over 20.3 minutes per game.