Boston Celtics center Aron Baynes suffered a left-hand fracture in Wednesday's game versus the Phoenix Suns, the team announced.
The team offered no timeline for the hulking big man's recovery, though league sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania that Baynes is expected to miss one month.
Baynes has averaged 5.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists through 24 appearances this season, though the weight of his contributions go beyond the traditional boxscore stats. In 354 minutes with Baynes on the floor prior to Wednesday's tilt, the Celtics had conceded just 97.7 points per 100 possessions. With Baynes parked on the bench, that rate jumps to 102.
The Celtics' best five-man unit with at least 50 minutes of floor time this season features Baynes at center, flanked by Kyrie Irving, Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum, and Marcus Morris. That lineup has outscored opponents by a remarkable 33.2 points per 100 possessions in 52 minutes.
