Perkins expected to miss next three games

By Jessica Camerato
CSNNE.com

Kendrick Perkins is expected to miss the last three games of the Celtics' West Coast trip because of a left knee injury suffered in Tuesday night's victory against the Golden State Warriors.

A source told CSNNE.com Perkins suffered a strained MCL. He's listed as day-to-day, but is expected to miss Thursday's game in Denver, Saturday's game in Los Angeles against the Clippers, and Monday's game in Utah.

The news was later confirmed to CSNNE.com's A. Sherrod Blakely by Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge.

Perkins left Tuesdays game in the third quarter and said following the Celtics win that he was real sore.

Perkins suffered a right knee injury during Game Six of the 2010 NBA Finals which kept him out until January 25. He has appeared in 12 games since his return, averaging 7.3 points and 8.1 rebounds in 26.1 minutes.

The Celtics are already playing without centers Shaquille O'Neal and Jermaine O'Neal. Semih Erden returned to action on Tuesday after missing time due to a strained adductor and taking a leave to see his ill mother in Turkey.