Celtics center Aron Baynes broke a bone in his left ring finger during the first quarter of Boston’s game against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night.
According to a league source, Baynes’s injury will require surgery and the center will likely be sidelined for at least one month. The Celtics announced that Baynes broke the fourth metacarpal — or lower bone of the ring finger — in his left hand.
Baynes appeared to suffer the injury when his hand became entangled with Suns rookie big man Deandre Ayton’s hand early in the first quarter. Baynes remained in the game at the time and threw down a dunk with his right hand with 9:56 left, but was clearly grimacing afterward.
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He was removed from the game at that point and accompanied by team trainer Art Horne as he went back to the locker room area for X-rays.
“I don’t know any updates or timelines or anything like that,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens said, “but probably, clearly, going to be out for some time. And I saw the X-rays, so I can confirm that one, and even I could see the break. So, who knows how long he’s going to be out, but he’s disappointed. Obviously he started off the game great.”
With Baynes out, rookie Robert Williams and backup center Daniel Theis will receive expanded roles. Williams has played well recently and had three dunks in the first half against Phoenix on Wednesday. Al Horford on Wednesday missed his sixth consecutive game because of a sore left knee but is expected to return soon, perhaps as early as Friday against the Bucks.
Baynes is averaging 5.5 points and 4.4 rebounds in 14.8 minutes per game this season.
Adam Himmelsbach can be reached at adam.himmelsbach@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @adamhimmelsbach.
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