Kyrie Irving won't return this season, including playoffs

12:58 PM ET

Adrian WojnarowskiESPN

In the aftermath of left knee surgery, Boston Celtics All-Star guard Kyrie Irving will miss the rest of the regular season and playoffs, league sources told ESPN.

The Celtics are expected to make an announcement soon, sources said.

The Celtics and Irving are evaluating further possible medical options to treat his left knee, sources said

The loss of Irving is a devastating blow for the Celtics' hopes of competing for the Eastern Conference championship. The Celtics hold the No. 2 seed in the conference. Irving, a five-time NBA All-Star, has averaged 24.4 points, 5.1 assists and 3.8 rebounds for the Celtics this season.

Irving, 26, underwent a procedure to remove a tension wire in the knee on March 24. The wire had been placed into his knee during surgery to repair a fractured patella in 2015.

Boston acquired Irving in a blockbuster offseason deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Celtics are still without guard Marcus Smart, who had right thumb surgery in March. He's hopeful to be able to return sometime early in the playoffs.

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