Sources: Kyrie Irving likely to miss Sunday's game but plans to get fitted for mask, play through facial fracture

Shams Charania

Boston Celtics All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving will likely miss Sunday’s game against the Toronto Raptors because of a facial fracture but plans to get fitted for a mask and play through the injury, league sources told The Vertical.

Irving suffered the minor facial fracture in the first minute of Friday’s win over the Charlotte Hornets when he was inadvertently hit in the face by teammate Aron Baynes. Irving is expected to have to wear the protective mask for two weeks, sources said.

Kyrie Irving has averaged 20.3 points and 5.2 assists this season. (AP)
Kyrie Irving has averaged 20.3 points and 5.2 assists this season. (AP)

Irving has helped the Celtics, who are on an 11-game winning streak, overcome numerous injuries this season, including the loss of Gordon Hayward for the year because of gruesome ankle and leg fractures suffered on opening night.

Celtics center Al Horford is expected to play Sunday after missing two games while in concussion protocol. Rookie Jayson Tatum left Wednesday’s win over the Lakers after tweaking his right ankle, but returned to start against the Hornets.

Irving has averaged 20.3 points, 5.2 assists and 1.9 steals this season to push Boston to the top of the Atlantic standings with an 11-2 record.