A year ago, Jeff Green had life-saving surgery in the city where he hit a game-winning shot for the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night.
Green led the Celtics to a 93-92 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers with a buzzer-beating layup, and he followed the big shot by embracing Dr. Lars Svensson.
Dr. Svensson performed heart surgery on Green at the Cleveland Clinic a little more than a year ago. After the game, Green dedicated the shot to his doctor.
“[Dr. Svensson] said ‘Great game,’ and he’s proud of me,” Green said, via the Boston Herald. “Just a year ago and a couple of months I was under that bright light, with him working on me. … It’s a blessing to be here. He’s paying attention to what I’m doing. That was for him, then. That was for Dr. Svensson.
“He did a terrific job to get me back to where I am now. I owe a whole lot to him and the Cleveland Clinic. They welcomed me with open arms and I owe them for that. To have a game like this here, in front of my doctor, I think made him proud. I’m thankful, man, to have him and the way he performed the procedure. I’m lucky to be back on the court, and I owe it all to him. I’m just blessed and thankful.”
The fact that Green has been able to get back to playing so quickly and at such a high level is a miracle. Anyone who goes into heart surgery has to wonder if they will make it out alive, let alone if they will be able to continue a basketball career. Wednesday night’s win is one that Green and his surgeon will not soon forget.
Photo via Instagram user Jehsee182
