PHILADELPHIAWhen Mickael Pietrus went down in the second quarter of Boston's 98-86 loss at Philadelphia on Friday, the 6-foot-6 swingman was concerned.
Laying on the court after an awkward landing, the 6-foot-6 swingman didn't know what to think.
Family. Friends. Teammates. His career.
A wave of cascading emotions and concerns and fears all came crashing down upon his thoughts.
Now on his way back to Boston, Pietrus feels fortunate knowing he will eventually resume his playing career sooner rather than later.
"We have been playing good basketball and to end the trip like that was sad," Pietrus told CSNNE.com.
He added, it "could have been worse."
Seeing him lay motionless on the court brought back memories of Marquis Daniels from a year ago when he suffered a season-ending injury that many believed would finish off his career.
Daniels had surgery which eventually allowed him to resume his career. And in the offseason, Daniels re-signed with the Celtics.
No one understands better what Pietrus was feeling on the Wachovia Center court better than Daniels.
Daniels recalls his thoughts immediately turning towards his family, which not surprisingly, was among Pietrus' early concerns as well.
Upon returning to Boston, he will be reevaluated by the Celtics medical staff.
Depending on how those tests go, Pietrus could be back on the floor as early as Sunday's game against Washington.
Pietrus is eager to get back on the floor, naturally.
But he has no plans to come back too soon.
Just knowing that the NBA is still a part of his life after a "scary" fall for those who witnessed it - and for the man who actually experienced it - is in itself a victory.