Pierce has a sprained MCL, not as bad as it sounds

[lightspeed5]

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4693351/pierce-mcl-sprain-expected-in-game-6

[guava_wrench]

Anything that makes him less effect is big since that makes our best playoff lineup a little less imposing.

[thestackshow]

Actually it is as bad as it sounds.

Pierce healthy = Superstar

Pierce with a sprained MCL = lucky to get 12 points out of him and hes terrible on defense.

Huge difference.

Well be lucky to make it out of the second round or even the first if he doesent fully heal soon.

[j804]

Actually it is as bad as it sounds.

Pierce healthy = Superstar

Pierce with a sprained MCL = lucky to get 12 points out of him and hes terrible on defense.

Huge difference.

Well be lucky to make it out of the second round or even the first if he doesent fully heal soon.

it can go either way I can see Pierce easily going off for 30 tonight in a huge game.....

[alajet]

That's even worse than it actually sounded.
First, it was a sore knee. Now it's a sprained MCL.

Paul Pierce may look like slow on court, but he has a very quick first step, which is one of his lethal assets. And from what I've seen in game 5, he was struggling with his lateral movement.
So, we can't expect him to magically be 100%, I suppose, but I hope it feels better in time.

[lightspeed5]

i say its not as bad it sounds because he can actually play.... it could be worse...

[SHAQATTACK]

Yep ..this is not looking good..... we might get 12 points , 10 turnovers and poor /no Defense worth anything. ANd he'll foul out trying to play "D"

AS in the other thread ... its about time for BASS to step up and have a huge game .  I'm losing patience watching him stand around not rebound, not playing Defense , missing layups , and not moving on offense.   You 'd thunk he just joined the team last week.

[jgod213]

That's even worse than it actually sounded.
First, it was a sore knee. Now it's a sprained MCL.

Paul Pierce may look like slow on court, but he has a very quick first step, which is one of his lethal assets. And from what I've seen in game 5, he was struggling with his lateral movement.
So, we can't expect him to magically be 100%, I suppose, but I hope it feels better in time.

Most everyone is hurt to some degree at this time of year.  You don't think Al Horford is still feeling pain? Josh Smith? Not to mention Bradley, Garnett, ect ect

Pierce is the consummate professional, he knows how to play hurt.  I'd be shocked if he didn't put up at least 20-5-5 tonight.

[alajet]

Most everyone is hurt to some degree at this time of year.  You don't think Al Horford is still feeling pain? Josh Smith? Not to mention Bradley, Garnett, ect ect

Pierce is the consummate professional, he knows how to play hurt.  I'd be shocked if he didn't put up at least 20-5-5 tonight.

I'm not questioning his professionalism for a second, but it's eventually important how hurt he really is.
You know the opposition won't get easier after this round, should we make it through. Paul played against JJ at times in this series, but against Igoudala or Deng, and then against LBJ or Granger, the matchups suggest he will still continue to be the key player on offense, while mainly defending the first option of the opposing team.
That's why I hope he feels better with his knee. Otherwise, it will only get tougher and tougher to play through that injury.

[JSD]

I think Doc should have Pierce come off the bench tonight and have Pietrus start. If the Cs begin blowing the Hawks out early enough, maybe he won't even have to play and can just rest.

[alley oop]

Yep ..this is not looking good..... we might get 12 points , 10 turnovers and poor /no Defense worth anything. ANd he'll foul out trying to play "D"

AS in the other thread ... its about time for BASS to step up and have a huge game .  I'm losing patience watching him stand around not rebound, not playing Defense , missing layups , and not moving on offense.   You 'd thunk he just joined the team last week.

In Bass's defense, I don't think he's missed a free throw.

[alley oop]

I can’t recall Pierce in the past ever hurting his knee during a shootaround. My guess is that the recent multiple 40 plus minute games he’s played was taking its toll on his knees, and the incident during shootaround was the final straw for a real problem.

[hpantazo]

I think Doc should have Pierce come off the bench tonight and have Pietrus start. If the Cs begin blowing the Hawks out early enough, maybe he won't even have to play and can just rest.

This is a must win game and the hawks are a good team at full strength, we can't afford to sit Pierce if he can play. This is the playoffs, if we lose tonight we have to win a game 7 on the road. We have to make sure that we don't let opportunities to close out a series slip by, because if we do there may be nothing to rest Pierce for.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

So, I was the only one paying attention? They said it was a sprain days ago, then he tweaked it game 4. I'm not worried about his offense... his D last (lack of) killed us! If he can heal enough to play solid D then I am happy!! When Doc finally sat PP last game end of third beginning of 4th our D started clicking and shut the Hawks down, we took a 4pt lead... then, Doc went away from what was working and brought PP in, we went the other way and eventually lost after! Part of it was Bass but mostly it was people helping off their man to stop PP's man but couldn't recover (back on Horford). That's why Hollins played so much, it was so obvious... a healthier PP and Stiems would be getting more time over Hollins. You can survive with PP dragging his leg but it's much more difficult now that they have a real center/forward in Al.

[JSD]

I think Doc should have Pierce come off the bench tonight and have Pietrus start. If the Cs begin blowing the Hawks out early enough, maybe he won't even have to play and can just rest.

This is a must win game and the hawks are a good team at full strength, we can't afford to sit Pierce if he can play. This is the playoffs, if we lose tonight we have to win a game 7 on the road. We have to make sure that we don't let opportunities to close out a series slip by, because if we do there may be nothing to rest Pierce for.

But I say this with the bigger picture in mind. Plus, we win big tonight even without Pierce.