By A.Sherrod Blakely
CSNNE.com
CHARLOTTE, N.C.The process of Marquis Daniels' return to the basketball court is officially underway.
The first step - getting out of the hospital - has been crossed.
Daniels, who suffered a bruised spinal cord injury in the second quarter of Boston's 91-80 win over the Orlando Magic on Sunday, was released from New England Baptist Hospital on Monday morning after being held overnight.
Shortly after the injury, team officials said a battery of tests would be taken to determine the extent of his injury, as well as the best course for rehabilitation.
Daniels suffered a similar injury in Game Five of the Eastern Conference finals last season against the Orlando Magic.
"This is the same type of neck injury that he had so it's just a little bit worse," team physician Dr. Brian McKeon said on Sunday. "He's got some spine issues in the past that have been addressed by other teams, and so we'll just have to see how it plays out in the next few days."
Boston Celtics
Danny Ainge, Boston's president of basketball operations, told CSNNE.com on Monday that the immediate plan for Daniels is to simply get some rest.
While the C's have no definitive timetable for Daniels' return, Ainge is optimistic that Daniels can return to action in 1-2 months.
The biggest concern when a player suffers an neck or spine-related injury, is the potential for paralysis.
Fortunately for Daniels, that is not an issue.
He was able to move his extremities by the time Ainge got to the hospital to see him Sunday night.
"He's returned everything," McKeon said. "He's returned to near full function."
A. Sherrod Blakely can be reached atsblakely@comcastsportsnet.com.Follow Sherrod on Twitter at http:twitter.comsherrodbcsn