West expects to return to full practice

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By Jessica Camerato
CSNNE.com

BOSTON -- Delonte West described himself as hungry.

Hes itching to recover from his recently sprained right ankle, and hopes to return to full contact in practice on Monday.

West suffered the injury last weekend during a team walkthrough. He had played in just three games after recovering from a broken wrist endured in November.

Im able to do everything except for live contact, really just putting full pressure on the leg, he said before Fridays Celtics - Warriors game. But other than that, Im working out, still conditioning. I still havent got any shots up yet, any movement, but hopefully Ill do that this weekend.

After feeling pain on Thursday, he was more comfortable the following day. He went through a treatment regimen of ice, stem therapy, and continuing to use a compression boot he as been wearing throughout the injury.

Doc Rivers does not expect West to play on Sunday against the Milwaukee Bucks.

When West returns to the court, the Celtics will look a lot different than they did when he went down. Five players have since been traded, but West is ready to get to work with his new teammates.

I dont think you can break the spirit of the Celtics, he said. It was sad to see a couple of the guys go, but right now its business. I think we have time to heal over that, but right now guys are re-focused for getting this team ready to push out this last stretch.

Rivers said Shaquille ONeal (Achilles) wants to play on Sunday against the Milwaukee Bucks. Rivers, though, believes ONeal needs more practice time and says he will probably play on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Clippers.
One big man Rivers expects to see on the court is Chris Johnson. Even though he has played only six minutes since being called up from the Dakota Wizards (NBA Development League) on February 24, Rivers thinks the Celtics will sign him to another 10-day contract. Rivers says of Johnson, who is 6-11 and 211 pounds, If we can figure out a way to get him on Babys weight program, hed be terrific. Jessica Camerato is on Twitter at http:twitter.comjcameratonba

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