Overview
- After averaging about 19 minutes over the first six games, Nikola Vucevic did not play in the Boston Celtics’ deciding loss to the 76ers.
- Coach Joe Mazzulla stuck with small lineups as Neemias Queta and Luka Garza picked up fouls, leaving the veteran center out of the rotation.
- Boston acquired Vucevic at the trade deadline for Anfernee Simons to add size and to reduce luxury-tax pressure.
- A fractured finger on March 6 and a shift to a bench role stalled his rhythm, and his output fell to 9.7 points on 39% shooting in 16 games, then 6.2 points on 37.8% and 29% from three in the playoffs.
- Vucevic is set to hit free agency after the final year of his three-year, $60 million deal, and multiple reports expect the Celtics to move on.