By Jessica Camerato
CSNNE.com
BOSTON - Ray Allen doesnt know who set the screen, but there's no question how it felt.
Allen hit the ground after running into a Jared Jeffries screen just over a minute into the fourth quarter on Monday night against the Houston Rockets.
With the Celtics trying to stage a comeback, they watched their sharpshooter head to the bench grabbing his left shoulder in pain.
I just took a hard hit and kind of collapsed my left side, he said following the Celtics 108-102 loss. So Im sore. Ill see how it feels tomorrow.
Allen explained that he felt soreness in both his left shoulder and side. He told CSNNE.com he does not expect to miss Wednesdays game against the Sacramento Kings.
Even if the injury turns out to be no more than a nagging pain, Allen doesn't believe it was a clean screen.
Boston Celtics
No, because the rule states that if theres a screen set, youve got to give the person a chance to see the screen and then move out of the way, he said. I didnt even know the screen was there and as I went to step, I just hit the screen and it caught me like on the side of my hip. So, thats basketball.
Allen received attention from trainer Ed Lacerte and checked back into the game with 5:40 left to play. He snagged a steal and drilled a three-pointer minutes later. He finished the night with a team-high 19 points (8-13 FG, 2-2 3PG).
When youve got so much adrenaline running, you dont really feel it, he said. But I think once I got in the back, for some reason I got sore all of a sudden. So its part of the job.
Allen has started every game for the Celtics this season. His presence on the court has been critical to the teams success as they battle with injuries.
While it is important for him to stay on the court, he wouldnt mind having one of his teammates on the bench. Allen is open to ask Kevin Garnett to join the Celtics on the sidelines when he is injured.
Its important for us. I didnt think about it, but having him on the bench still does and can help us, he said. I will ask him. I didnt think about it but its not a bad idea. I think Glen (Davis) needs help when hes out there on the floor. Shaq and Jermaine (ONeal) are obviously trying to follow the doctrine that weve been prescribing the last four years. Kevin can help them.
And regardless of pain he may feel, Allen wants to help the Celtics too.
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