By A. Sherrod Blakely
CSNNE.com
PHOENIXThe streak continues.
Paul Pierce, one of only two Boston Celtics (Ray Allen is the other) to start every game this season, will be in the starting lineup tonight against the Phoenix Suns.
Pierce suffered what team officials described as a right thigh bruise against Portland on Thursday.
He left the game with about two minutes to play, and it was unclear if the injury would prevent him from suiting up tonight.
In addition to Pierce, the Celtics also welcome back Shaquille O'Neal.
O'Neal, who will start tonight, has missed the last three games with a sore right hip injury.
Boston Celtics
Shortly after the injury, both O'Neal and the Celtics targeted tonight's game for his return.
But don't get too used to seeing O'Neal on the floor tonight.
C's coach Doc Rivers said O'Neal will play limited minutes.
There's no timetable for when his backup, Kendrick Perkins, will replace him in the starting lineup.
"He'll start whenever we get to the point where we feel he can play not only 30 minutes, but 10 minutes in a row without any problems the next day," Rivers said. "I don't know when that's going to come."
A. Sherrod Blakely can be reached at sblakely@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow Sherrod on Twitter at http:twitter.comsherrodbcsn.