Jared Sullinger has sore knee. No big deal

[insidehoops]

Celtics forward Jared Sullinger will not play Wednesday night against Charlotte because of a sore right knee.

Sullinger injured the knee in practice on Tuesday and had an MRI, which showed a bruised bone.

-- AP

[insidehoops]

The idea that Sullinger can improve even more is music to coach Brad Stevens' ears. It might not be a stretch to suggest that Sullinger, maybe more than any other player on the team, is the most entrenched building block for the team's future. He's on a rookie pact and has potential to be an All-Star player if he continues to develop.

His impact on the team this season is undeniable, even in limited floor time. In the 138 minutes he's played this season, Boston owns glossy ratings (points per 100 possessions) on both offense (107.4) and defense (98.9). In the 294 minutes that Sullinger has been off the floor, Boston's ratings sputter on offense (94.4) and defense (100.8).

Put it this way: Boston is winless when Sullinger doesn't play this season. It's hard not to wonder if the Celtics might have won on opening night in Toronto or on Wednesday against the Bobcats had Sullinger been available.

-- ESPN Boston