MINNEAPOLISThe Boston Celtics are once again without the services of Ray Allen, whose right ankle injury will keep him out for a fifth straight game tonight against the Timberwolves.
Allen went through his usual pre-game shooting routine, but the ankle had not made enough improvement for the C's medical staff to sign off on him playing.
Earlier in the day, Allen said the ankle was swollen throughout the team's West coast trip earlier this month, with the pain reaching its worst point prior to the C's playing at Philadelphia on March 23.
C's coach Doc Rivers said Allen went through the team's morning shoot-around and looked "OK," but Rivers added, "I personally didn't think he looked great."
Still, Allen had done enough to where Rivers felt as though Allen would be back in the starting lineup tonight.
However, after Allen went through his usual pre-game shooting routine, apparently the ankle became bothersome again.
"I got to the arena and was informed that he was not playing," Rivers said. "We're just going to continue working at it, and eventually he'll be out there."
Without Allen, the C's will once again turn to Avery Bradley in the starting lineup.