Boston Celtics

Pierce’s take

By Gary Dzen

1 minute to read

  • On coming back: “I just have to use the games to get back into shape. This time of year practices are so few. I thought these last three games (before the All-Star break) would be good for me just to sort of get into a rhythm before we go out West. I think it will probably take a couple of weeks worth of games. That will probably put us at about six games…plus games after practice, playing one-on-ones, getting shots up, just getting back into that basketball rhythm.”
  • On the 17-game losing streak: “Our job is to go out there and compete each and every night and not worry about the losing streak. It’ll be over.”
  • On his left elbow: “I don’t think I aggravated it. I just hit it. Bumps and bruises of the game. It’s still a little tender. I just got out of the hospital a couple of days ago. It’s fine other than that.”
  • On his left foot: “It’s feeling good right now. That’s what I’m basing it on, how I feel after the game. I didn’t feel hesitant out there. I guess I was more concerned about my elbow than my foot today. I need to let it heel all the way to where there is no pain in the food. It feels good, let’s just hope I can stay strong.”
  • On his 4-for-16 shooting: “I missed a couple of layups, shots that I usually make. That’s just my legs I thought were heavy, I couldn’t really get a good lift. That’s going to happen. The first three times up and down the court, the adrenaline’s pumping. You want things to happen so fast. You feel like you could come back and do things you did before you got injured. But I wasn’t able. I’m patient. I’m mentally strong. I’m going to get through it.”

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