WALTHAMIf only Friday's game against Phoenix were a playoff battle with the series knotted up at 2-2.
Under those circumstances, Rajon Rondo said his sore right wrist wouldn't prevent him from playing.
Instead, it's a regular-season game, one that Rondo's coach, Doc Rivers, anticipates being played without him.
"He's doing all right," Rivers said. "But I doubt if he plays. We'll see."
All indications are that a decision on Rondo won't be made until shortly before Friday night's tipoff.
"Hopefully I'll get a good night's rest," Rondo said. "I'll be in treatments pretty much all day. Other than that . . . I'll see tomorrow. "
If Rondo can't play, Rivers will have to decide on Avery Bradley or E'Twaun Moore as his starting point guard.
Under most circumstances, Moore would make sense to start in place of an injured Rondo because his ability to run a team is better than Bradley's. But the Phoenix Suns have Steve Nash, one of the game's top playmakers at the point. That might make Rivers more inclined to go with Bradley instead.
"If I need to start tomorrow, that's what I'm going to do; I'm going to come out and play hard," Bradley said.
Said Moore: "Just being prepared to play the game; follow the game plan and watch the film and be ready."
Rondo was at Wednesday's practice, but did not participate in any contact drills.
Rivers said Rondo, who was scheduled to have an MRI performed on Wednesday, was at practice to get a better handle on a couple new plays Rivers was implementing.
Rondo said he was there for the possible replacements for him if he can't play, Bradley and Moore.
"We got two young point guards," Rondo said. "Not that they need help, but as much encouragement, things I can tell them or teach them," Rondo said. "I just wanted to be here."