Celtics' Chris Wilcox Out For Rest Of Season With Heart Ailment

Chris Wilcox has been ruled out for the rest of the season after a routine cardiac exam revealed the need for further testing. Wilcox had additional tests this week and the team released a statement regarding his health on Wednesday, indicating his season was over. Wilcox will undergo aortic surgery on March 29 at the Cleveland Clinic.

"While we are saddened that Chris will not be able to play again this season, the most important thing is his health, and we were fortunate to have access to an amazing team of specialists to evaluate Chris's case," said Danny Ainge, the Celtics' general manager. "The entire Celtics family supports Chris during this difficult time in his career."

Wilcox has not played since March 7 when the Celtics were blown out by the Philadelphia 76ers. Wilcox didn't travel with the team to Los Angeles for their first two games of an eight-game West coast trip against the Lakers and Clippers. Wilcox missed the Celtics' last home game before the trade deadline against the Trail Blazers for personal matters.

Wilcox was signed to the mid-level exception by the Celtics this offseason and start slowly, but had come on strong in the past month. Wilcox averaged 5.4 points and 4.4 rebounds.

This is the second time this season that a heart problem has sidelined a Celtics player, as reserve forward Jeff Green was forced to miss the year after a physical revealed an aortic aneurysm that required season-ending surgery in January.

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Doc Rivers On Chris Wilcox: 'Blown Away' By His Heart Ailment

Doc Rivers, the head coach of the Boston Celtics, responded to the news that reserve forward Chris Wilcox is out indefinitely and will need additional tests after a routine cardiac test reveled the need for more tests. Rivers spoked with Sean Grande of WEEI, saying that he was blown away by the team's second heart problem.

Doc's reaction to getting the Chris Wilcox news Friday: "Are you kidding me? What are the odds of having one? To have two..I was just...blown away...feel bad for Chris...there's a good chance he'll play and there's a chance he won't. At the end of the day if there is something wrong I'm glad we found it." (via Sean Grande on Twitter)

Wilcox missed Friday night's game against the Portland Trail Blazers for what the team called personal matters at the time. Wilcox will see doctors early this week for addition tests, and the team will learn more about his condition after that.

Jeff Green was sidelined for the entire season after a routine physical found an aortic aneurysm, which required surgery to repair in January. We don't know if Wilcox's problem is similar, but either way, here's hoping for a speedy recovery.

For more Boston Celtics coverage, visit our team page and blog, CelticsBlog.

Chris Wilcox Out Indefinitely For Boston Celtics After Cardiac Test

Chris Wilcox of the Celtics will be sidelined indefinitely after a routine cardiac test revealed the need for additional tests, according to multiple reports. Wilcox missed Friday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers for personal reasons.