WALTHAM -- Prior to Celtics practice on Saturday, Ray Allen said he plans to have surgery on his right ankle following this season.
Doc Rivers does not expect him to play in Game 1 of the Boston Celtics - Atlanta Hawks first round series on Sunday.
No question, Allen said of surgery. If I could, I would get surgery tomorrow. If this was earlier in the season, I probably would have had surgery.
Rivers said Allen will not practice on Saturday.
We wont know, honestly, Rivers said of Allens Game 1 status. Hes not going to practice today. And honestly, I dont think hell play tomorrow, but well find that out. He can play, so Im not saying hes not, and it would be very nice if he does, but hes just not moving well and well just find out.
Allen suffered the injury in March and has missed 15 games as a result. He realized he would need postseason surgery about a month ago after seeing images from his test results. But given the unpredictable timetable of recovery from surgery, he opted to wait out the rest of the season.
It was just inevitable, he said. Just from talking to a couple different doctors who said, when the seasons over youre going to have to get this cleaned up.
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The veteran guard received a second cortisone shot on Thursday, which he said has helped alleviate the discomfort.
Just as I stand here, moving around on it, walking around, it feels great, he said. Now transferring that on to the floor and moving around on it is the next step.
Allen will travel with the Celtics to Atlanta. Being around the team is important to him, especially in this part of the season. Contending for a championship is why Allen has been fighting so hard to return to the court.
These are extreme situations, extreme times, he said. Playoff basketball, its a few notches above what we do in the regular season. So its really just a matter of me just getting my legs underneath me, running when I can. But thats a difficult thing, trying to run. I felt good running but just making sure I go through, when I can get into practice, just moving around in practice and trying to get my legs underneath me. You just have to deal with that.