The Boston Celtics has reached New York to play the Knicks at MSG, the squad formally announced Torrey Craig’s signing prior to the match. In nine games with the Chicago Bulls, he has been shooting 48.9% from the field and 42.9% from three-point range, averaging 6.9 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.
After playing for the Nuggets, Suns, Bulls, Pacers, and Bucks for portions of eight seasons, Craig offers a wealth of experience to the Celtics. Over the course of 441 games, he shot 45.4% from the field and 35.5% from three-point range, averaging 6.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game. Additionally, he has made 75 NBA postseason appearances, including 19 starts.
Boston Celtics Officially Sign Veteran NBA Player Before Knicks Game
Officially a Celtic, Torrey Craig will sit out his first Boston game as he continues to heal from an ankle strain that has kept him out since December 30, the seasoned forward will not play in his first Celtics game on Saturday against the New York Knicks. Craig was described by Boston as having a “right ankle return from injury reconditioning” on their injury report.
Additionally, for the second consecutive game, the Celtics have ruled out starting guard Jrue Holiday due to a shoulder injury. Craig signed with the Celtics after Thursday’s NBA trade deadline after being waived by the Chicago Bulls on Monday. Prior to Saturday’s Atlantic Division game, the 34-year-old greeted his new teammates at Madison Square Garden after passing his physical.
Craig was pleased to be back at the team after a hectic 24-hour period that included flying from Chicago to Boston, touring the facilities, finishing his physical and finally joining his new team in New York City late Friday. The team had only been officially announcing the 34-year-old veteran’s signing for an hour.
What Torrey Craig is hoping to bring to Celtics
Before Thursday’s NBA trade deadline, the Boston Celtics did not add anyone to their roster; however, they did so soon after. On Thursday evening, they acquired Torrey Craig, a 34-year-old wing, through a buyout. Craig was dismissed on Monday by the Chicago Bulls, where he last played. Craig is not anticipated to contribute significantly off the bench, but having backup depth is always beneficial in case of injury.
Torrey Craig has played in 75 postseason games, including a 2021 NBA Finals trip with the Phoenix Suns. In 9 games this season with the Bulls, the 6-foot-5, 221-pound forward shot 42.9 percent from 3-point range and averaged 6.9 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. Additionally, he can guard several spots, which is always advantageous when it comes to the playoffs. Craig will not start Celtics vs. New York Knicks game at MSG.
Who is Torrey Craig?
Craig has only appeared in 9 games this season, few days ago the Chicago Bulls dismissed him. He averaged 6.9 points off 48.9 percent field goals and 42.9 percent from three while playing 12.6 minutes for Chicago in his nine games this season, including one start. Due to an ankle injury, he has not played since December 30, however, he was getting close to making a comeback before being released. It has been claimed that Craig will join the Celtics and have a physical before their game against the Knicks in New York on Saturday night. For Boston, he will wear number 12.
Craig is getting used to a new Celtics team very fast.
After shaking hands with a number of player development coaches and team members during shoot around, he said, “The hardest thing is knowing everyone’s names.” For Joe Mazzulla, the two had a phone conversation on Friday evening and continued their conversation on Saturday morning. When questioned about what he had heard about the head coach on his first day as a Celtic, Craig grinned.
Craig attended the 2021 NBA Finals while playing for the Suns. Craig hit 35.5% from 3 and scored 6 points per game on 45.4% FG throughout his NBA career, his shooting has improved recently; in each of his last two seasons, he made at least 39% of three-pointers, because of this, he anticipates shooting open shots while playing for Boston, which will fit in well with the Celtics’ three-point-heavy offence.
Since entering the NBA in 2017, Craig, who will wear number twelve for the Celtics, has made 441 appearances and made 168 starts. In addition, he has 75 playoff games under his belt, including a 2021 NBA Finals run with Phoenix. However, because to a combination of injuries and lineup choices in Chicago, Craig has only appeared in nine games this season and due to injuries, he missed 29 games last season as well. Following their trip to the Knicks, they will play at Miami on Monday and host the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday before taking a week-long break.