The Celtics [team stats] last night turned a fire hose on the flames of speculation that surrounded Paul Pierce [stats]’s left foot injury.
The team released a statement saying the captain had merely suffered a strained left mid-foot during the first quarter of Monday night’s win in Washington against the Wizards. Pierce is currently listed as “day-to-day.”
“Everything else was just speculation, and all of it was wrong,” general manager Danny Ainge said last night.
Ainge said Pierce’s X-ray taken yesterday didn’t provide all the answers, and an MRI was scheduled. Pierce met with team physician Dr. Brian McKeon last night.
“I was concerned right from the time he got hurt,” Ainge said. “It looked terrible when it happened. Then Paul’s foot was sore when he woke up (yesterday) morning. I didn’t stop being concerned until Paul met with Dr. McKeon and went over the test results.”
According to Ainge, Pierce’s return will be based on the level of discomfort in the foot.
“He can play when it feels good enough,” Ainge said.
Pierce left Monday night’s game with 2:01 left in the first quarter after suffering the injury. He returned with 7:53 to go in the second period and played the rest of the half.
Just before the break, Pierce collided again with the Wizards’ Caron Butler. The players knocked knees, and both needed awhile before they could get up and off the floor.
Pierce started the third and had one point and two rebounds in 10:24. He was replaced by Glen Davis and did not play again.
Coach Doc Rivers said later he regretted leaving Pierce in the game.
“I shouldn’t have even played him in the second half, in my opinion,” Rivers said. “I think I messed that one up. He wasn’t playing bad; I just don’t think he was moving well enough. And why take a chance? That’s the way I looked at it.”
The injury didn’t seem like a big deal following the victory. Pierce had ice wrapped on the foot, but was able to walk around the dressing room without any alteration in his stride.
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