Kelly Olynyk Given Black Eye In Celtics’ Shootaround, Plays Anyway

BOSTON — Celtics center Kelly Olynyk went down during shootaround before Wednesday night’s matchup with the Indiana Pacers, suffering a laceration above his left eye after taking an elbow from teammate Shavlik Randolph.

“Kelly was playing his typical 1-on-1 pregame with Shavlik and got elbowed in the eye,” Celtics head coach Brad Stevens said. “And his eye blew up, so he went to the ophthalmologist to get sutured up and hopefully get some swelling down. It just swelled up right away. I’d say he’s very unlikely (Wednesday night), but I have not heard final word from (trainer Ed Lacerte) or the doctor.”

The area above the big man’s eye “exploded,” according to Stevens, who added that he “didn’t get the impression that (Olynyk) was in a ton of pain.”

Olynyk tested out his vision by putting up a few shots pregame, and Stevens’ description of the injury was pretty dead-on:

[tweet https://twitter.com/SeanGrandePBP/status/583399877842837504 align=’center’]

“I’m surprised he got up,” said Randolph, who was left with a lump on his forearm after the collision with Olynyk’s face. “He got hit pretty hard. … When I went down, it took about 30 minutes for me to feel my arm again. I knew his head had gotten hit hard.”

If Olynyk cannot go, it would be the 19th game he has missed this season. Olynyk previously was sidelined for 18 games after suffering an ankle injury Jan. 22 in Portland.

UPDATE (8 p.m.): Olynyk entered the game in the first quarter and promptly hit a 3-pointer. Seeing the basket is overrated.

Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images