LOS ANGELESThe chances of having one player miss time because of a heart condition is slim.
To have two, in the same season?
As unlikely as that scenario may be, the Boston Celtics find themselves in that precarious position with Chris Wilcox.
The 6-foot-10 big man is out indefinitely after routine tests on his heart, had results that now require additional testing.
Celtics coach Doc Rivers, who didn't expect to know anything more specific until next week, wouldn't rule out Wilcox's season coming to an end, similar to what happened with former Celtic Jeff Green.
Shortly after agreeing to a 9 million contract, there were some unusual findings in the physical related to Green's heart, which required additional testing.
Those results determined he had an aortic aneurysm that would require surgery. The surgery was successful, with Green on track to return to the NBA for the 2012-2013 season.
"The chances of having one of these in one year is pretty minute," Rivers said. "Chances of having two is impossible. There's a chance that may happen. We'll have to wait and see."
Rivers said Wilcox will undergo additional testing, with no timetable for his return to the Celtics lineup.
The heart issue that Wilcox is dealing with, is apparently something that he had to have check-ups on monthly when he played for the Detroit Pistons.
Rivers said Wilcox never had a heart condition, but "we all have different things that we are a candidate for. And I think he was in that, but never a condition that was risky or anything like that. Unfortunately, now it may be."
As disappointing as this news is for Wilcox and the Celtics, Rivers believes both are fortunate to know now so that, if needed, Wilcox can receive whatever surgery or treatments that he may need.
"At the end of the day, we're lucky," Rivers said. "That's what I told our team, that we're very lucky that this happened, and not unlucky."