The Boston Celtics’ leader and defensive anchorman Kevin Garnett will miss the playoffs, reducing the chances of the 2008 NBA champions to capture back-to-back titles.

According to coach Doc Rivers, the 2008 defensive player of the year is not ready to start the playoffs. Rivers commented, “He’s [Garnett] not going to be ready. After watching him practice, there's no way. The way I saw him move today, I don't know if he'll be ready.”

“We're going to move on without him,” claimed the Head Coach of the Boston Celtics, who kick start the playoffs on Saturday against the Atlanta Hawks.

Garnett has been the Celtics’ inspirational leader. Along with Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, he forms Boston’s “Big three”—who led the team last year to capture the franchise’s 17th NBA title. This season the 7-foot forward averaged 15.8 points and 8.5 rebounds, contributions that will be terribly missed by the Celtics.

Garnett injured his right knee last February and missed 13 games. He had a brief return for the Celtics, but he never played more than 18 minutes per game.

“If he can't get through biking and working out without swelling and his leg locking, I don't know how you can play in the playoffs,” said Rivers. “This was an honest run today, you couldn't make your way through it. The guy's a warrior, you see him try to mask his way through it. But after 20 minutes of running, I don't see it. After today, there's no way he can play.”

Rivers said that Garnett became frustrated with his condition. “He put up a fight. He's really frustrated, but that's Kevin. That's why we got him, because he cares so much,” concluded Rivers.