BOSTONWith tip-off a couple hours away, the Boston Celtics had a familiar face show up in the locker room.
It was Mickael Pietrus, who had not been with the team since suffering a concussion on March 23 at Philadelphia that has him still out indefinitely.
"I'm feeling all right," Pietrus, sporting dark sunglasses, told CSNNE.com. "I'm getting better."
But he's still a ways off from returning to action after suffering what head coach Doc Rivers said was a Grade 3 - the worst kind - concussion. Because of his sensitivity to light, Pietrus did not stick around for Boston's 91-72 win over Miami.
Rivers said last week that he doesn't anticipate having Pietrus back until the playoffs. But on Sunday, Rivers said it wouldn't surprise him if Pietrus is out for a while or returned to the C's lineup next week.
Still, having not started the battery of tests that all players that suffer a concussion have to go through prior to returning to action, don't look for Pietrus until the postseason starts.
Even though he's far removed from playing, C's players were pleased to see their fallen teammate up and about.
"It was good to see him," said Celtics forward Brandon Bass. "For him to show upit shows some togetherness here."
For Keyon Dooling, it was great to see Pietrus being his usual upbeat, jovial self.
"MP's a live body," Dooling said. "Anytime he's in the building, you know he's here."
Pietrus looked to be in pretty good health, but Dooling said, "you could tell he's still bothered by the light. But it's MP; he's a great guy."
Dooling added, "It was good to see him. We've been texting him, but to physically see him, is quite refreshing."