Pierce good to go Sunday

[Big Ticket]

This came off the ESPN NBA Board, so not sure if it is fact, but:

Per WEEI 850 am Boston:   Pierce has no structural damage that they know of, his knee is sore and swollen a bit, and Doc says "if we played today, probably not, he couldn't go, but he'll be ready for Sunday".

Can anyone substantiate this?

[sns0274]

At media day today Doc basically stated that it will be up to Paul and a game time decision (paraphrasing)and the Pain threshold of Paul himself.

To me on a more dangerous note, Paul refused an MRI as he doesn't want to take the chance of getting shut down with any kind of a slight tear.

[fan33]

Just wheel him up to the tunnel, and he's good to go 

What a warrior, what a Captain sportastic!

Where is that game thread appropo film hero photo 

But seriously, this IS great news of course, and he knows Celtic Nation is pulling for him; O Captain 

[fairweatherfan]

I think the Captain got a little of that magic Mr. Miyagi massage in the locker room...

Great news...we showed last night we are the better team, but we can't let up now.  PP is the key to the series.

[Neurotic Guy]

At media day today Doc basically stated that it will be up to Paul and a game time decision (paraphrasing)and the Pain threshold of Paul himself.

To me on a more dangerous note, Paul refused an MRI as he doesn't want to take the chance of getting shut down with any kind of a slight tear.

Can we hear from a blogger who knows something about this type of injury.  If it IS a tear and he plays on it, what does that mean both short and long-term?  And, are we talking about pain management as opposed to an injury that inherently limits his ability to leap, move laterally, run, etc.  How likely is it to throw off his shot? How likely that he is 10% slower on 'D' or unable to maintain defensive intensity (especially given the lateral movement required against Kobe)? 
A physical therapist, a doctor, nurse, trainer, anyone here who might know, let's hear your opinion.

[CT34]

I've talk to someone who is close to the situation and they told me that Paul doesn't want to get an MRI because he fears his knee could be worst then what he was first told. He doesn't want to sit out nor be shut down for the rest of the series. 

Like I said earlier today Paul Pierce just look scared after the game. Only he really knows how bad his knee is right now. It's really up in the air as to if he is going to play or not on Sunday.  Right now he's in a lot of pain.

Also I'm getting p---ed off by hearing those in the national media talking about how Paul was acting and how he's not really hurt.  The man is hurt people. 

Also another person who status is up in the air as far as game 2 goes is Perkins.  From what I hear it's not a high ankle sprain which is good news.

[Steve Weinman]

I think the Captain got a little of that magic Mr. Miyagi massage in the locker room...

Great news...we showed last night we are the better team, but we can't let up now.  PP is the key to the series.

Any Karate Kid references are good for a TP on me.

He mighta had the leg swept, but PP took care of business.  Use the crane, Paul-san!

-sw

[Roy Hobbs]

Celtics forward Paul Pierce walked gingerly into the media room this afternoon to answer questions about the right knee sprain he suffered in the third quarter of last night's Game 1 victory over the Lakers. His knee was heavily wrapped, and he walked up the podium stairs with a visible limp.

“I can walk on it, I can bend it, but there’s a little sharp pain on the inside of my knee,” said Pierce. “There’s a little pain in there right now so I’m going to keep it wrapped, iced.”

Pierce said he would be receiving treatment 2-3 times a day, and the team will continue to evaluate how the knee responds.

But what about Game 2? Pierce was asked the critical question twice during his press conference, and he answered it a little differently both times.

"I mean, there can be a chance [I won't play]," he said the first time. "Right now if the game was today, I most likely wouldn't be able to play today. Thank goodness for the schedule being that we get a couple days [off] now."

The second time he answered the question, Pierce was a little more emphatic.

"I think there's a great chance I'll play on Sunday," he said. "Just knowing myself, knowing my threshold for pain. Great chance I will be playing on Sunday."

Celtics coach Doc Rivers said Pierce definitely wouldn't be able to practice today, but said it won't be a problem.

"We're not going to do anything anyway," said Rivers. "We're going to watch film today and shoot free throws. I don't think he could play today, to be honest. But you know, he'll be ready by Sunday."

Rivers admitted it was huge for the teams to have two full days off before Game 2.

"Obviously it's nice not playing until Sunday," said Rivers. "That gives [Pierce and Kendrick Perkins] time to heal. I expect both of them to play, honestly. I just don't know how much they can give us yet."

Pierce had to be carried off the court midway through the third quarter of last night's Game 1. After being taken to the locker room in a wheelchair, Pierce checked back into the game less than two minutes later to a standing ovation from the crowd.

Just as he did last night, Lakers coach Phil Jackson today questioned the severity of Pierce’s injury.

"I don't know if the angels visited him at halftime or in that time-out period that he had or not, but he didn't even limp when he came back out on the floor," said Jackson. "I don't know what was going on there (laughter). Was Oral Roberts back there in their locker room (laughter)?"

Pierce admitted he's a bit put off by all the attention following last night's drama.

“It’s crazy to me," he said. "I’ve never been carried off the court. It was sort of embarrassing, truthfully. I should have just laid their for 5 more minutes…If I ever get carried off the court again, I’m not coming back.”

Link.

[CT34]

Celtics forward Paul Pierce walked gingerly into the media room this afternoon to answer questions about the right knee sprain he suffered in the third quarter of last night's Game 1 victory over the Lakers. His knee was heavily wrapped, and he walked up the podium stairs with a visible limp.

“I can walk on it, I can bend it, but there’s a little sharp pain on the inside of my knee,” said Pierce. “There’s a little pain in there right now so I’m going to keep it wrapped, iced.”

Pierce said he would be receiving treatment 2-3 times a day, and the team will continue to evaluate how the knee responds.

But what about Game 2? Pierce was asked the critical question twice during his press conference, and he answered it a little differently both times.

"I mean, there can be a chance [I won't play]," he said the first time. "Right now if the game was today, I most likely wouldn't be able to play today. Thank goodness for the schedule being that we get a couple days [off] now."

The second time he answered the question, Pierce was a little more emphatic.

"I think there's a great chance I'll play on Sunday," he said. "Just knowing myself, knowing my threshold for pain. Great chance I will be playing on Sunday."

Celtics coach Doc Rivers said Pierce definitely wouldn't be able to practice today, but said it won't be a problem.

"We're not going to do anything anyway," said Rivers. "We're going to watch film today and shoot free throws. I don't think he could play today, to be honest. But you know, he'll be ready by Sunday."

Rivers admitted it was huge for the teams to have two full days off before Game 2.

"Obviously it's nice not playing until Sunday," said Rivers. "That gives [Pierce and Kendrick Perkins] time to heal. I expect both of them to play, honestly. I just don't know how much they can give us yet."

Pierce had to be carried off the court midway through the third quarter of last night's Game 1. After being taken to the locker room in a wheelchair, Pierce checked back into the game less than two minutes later to a standing ovation from the crowd.

Just as he did last night, Lakers coach Phil Jackson today questioned the severity of Pierce’s injury.

"I don't know if the angels visited him at halftime or in that time-out period that he had or not, but he didn't even limp when he came back out on the floor," said Jackson. "I don't know what was going on there (laughter). Was Oral Roberts back there in their locker room (laughter)?"

Pierce admitted he's a bit put off by all the attention following last night's drama.

“It’s crazy to me," he said. "I’ve never been carried off the court. It was sort of embarrassing, truthfully. I should have just laid their for 5 more minutes…If I ever get carried off the court again, I’m not coming back.”

Link.

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/

[tenn_smoothie]

for what it's worth, i had surgery two years ago to repair torn meniscus (sp) - i walked around with it for a year before they finally went in and fixed it - it can be painful, but it is not a situation where mobility is affected or where you are going to severly damage the knee by being active on it - just some pain (i miss those hydros and i could actually use a few to get thru this series).

so ......... if it is just torn meniscus - if - i'm thinking Paul Pierce will be fine, if there's more damage, it's gonna be touch & go the rest of the series.

[Donoghus]

Can Pierce even have an MRI right now if he wanted?  Wouldn't the swelling inhibit it?  Just guessing that his knee is probably pretty swollen right now.

[RebusRankin]

This is good news. We need him.

[Chris]

Does anyone have a link to anything about Pierce refusing the MRI?

Personally, I don't think it matters, because I don't think Pierce cares if permanent damage is done, as long as he gets his ring...but that is the one thing that worries me here.

[Shamrock]

My daughter tore her ACL in a high school soccer game.  She heard a loud "pop" just as Pierce did and she hyper extended her leg which I think Pierce might have done after Perk stepped on his foot and he wasn't able to move his leg when he fell. I am also really concerned about the location of where Pierce feels the pain - right where the ACL is.

When this happened to my daughter, she was able to walk around after the injury and even returned to the game to play for a minute before she had to come out. Of course once she had the MRI it revealed the torn ACL and meniscus.   

I just hope Pierce didn't tear his ACL - many say he wouldn't have been able to return to play if he had - but Pierce is a warrior.  If he tore his ACL - he's looking at a surgery, a six month time frame before you can return to any sports - and then an additional six months before you get back to your old self.  It takes a year.  This is the injury Tony Allen had. I'm hoping because he was able to move well laterally that he will be all set.

For any one to think Pierce is faking this injury is just absurd.   

I know that Pierce is in incredible shape and has a great medical team around him.  I am afraid for him to get that MRI as well.  I'm hoping for the best.  If it is an ACL - my heart would break for Pierce - after 10 years of playing on a struggling team - and now he is in the NBA finals against the Lakers - with the team that he was loyal to - this must be his dream come true.  I hope he can pull through and that I am worrying for nothing.

[fmf2]

I'm a high school soccer coach, and one season, my senior captain tore his miniscus in the first game of the season. His doctor told him he could have surgery and end his season, or play through the pain and have the surgery afterward. He decided to play through it (pretty tough kid). It obviously affected him, but was able to play pretty well. Our physical trainer at school then told me that at her previous job, a senior football player played 4 games with a partially torn ACL, and had surgery after the season.

If I were Pierce, and I could handle the pain, I'd try to play. There is no guarantee he'll ever get to the finals again.

However, who could blame him if he sat out?