Celtics Vs. Knicks: Ray Allen, Mickael Pietrus Both Out For Boston

NEW YORK - If you thought the Boston Celtics would return to full health Tuesday night, well, think again. Ray Allen and Mickael Pietrus will both be held out of the Celtics' game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden (8 p.m. EST; TNT/WEEI). Allen is out with a swollen right ankle and Pietrus has been sent back to Boston with a knee injury.

"I had all my ETOs and stuff planned and got here, got a the grim reaper, that's what we call [trainer] Eddie [LaCerte] when he comes in, and he gave me the news," said Celtics head coach Doc Rivers. "Just roll with it, and we'll see tomorrow."

Allen has been sidelined with his ankle injury since Wednesday, April 11, but reports indicated that he would return to the lineup against the Knicks on Tuesday night. As for Pietrus, Rivers believes his injury is a result of the recent busy schedule.

"Probably the three games in a row," Rivers said. "You kind of forget that he's been out for so long, and we kind of threw him right back into the fire. Probably there a day or two, three games in a row for him. His knee swelled up, so we sent him back home right away."

Allen is averaging 14.2 points and Pietrus is averaging 6.8 points this season for Boston.

More pregame news and notes can be heard in the audio links below.

AUDIO: Doc Rivers Pregame (4-17-12) | AUDIO: Ray Allen Pregame (4-17-12)

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Ray Allen Injury Update: Allen To Return Against New York Knicks

Ray Allen will return to the Boston Celtics lineup Tuesday night and come off the bench against the New York Knicks.

Ray Allen Injury Update: Allen Out At Least Two Games, Doc Rivers Says Injury Isn't Serious

Ray Allen did not travel with the Boston Celtics for their game against the Toronto Raptors and is expected to miss at least the following game against the New Jersey Nets, Doc Rivers said on Friday.

It's possible that Allen returns on Monday against the Charlotte Bobcats, but flying down to Charlotte might make less sense than waiting until Wednesday and meeting the team in New York.

The good news for Celtics fans is that Allen's injury, though nagging, is not thought to be severe.

"It's not that serious, it's swelling," Rivers said of Allen's ankle injury. "I'm concerned when anybody's injured. It's not a serious injury, that's what the doctors keep saying, so that makes me feel better about it."

Avery Bradley will continue to start with or without Allen healthy. Mickael Pietrus and Sasha Pavlovic stand to play more minutes due to Allen's absence.

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Ray Allen Injury Update: Allen Not Making Trip To Toronto

Doc Rivers said Wednesday that he hoped Ray Allen would return to the Boston Celtics lineup Friday against the Toronto Raptors. That won't be the case.

The Celtics announced on Thursday that Allen, who missed Wednesday's game against the Atlanta Hawks after his bothersome right ankle swelled up, will not travel with the team to Toronto.

Allen is listed as day-to-day and could conceivably return at some point during the team's three consecutive road games, but would have to take his own flight.

"I don't know what's going on with it, but I do know he's not going to play tonight," Rivers said Wednesday of Allen's ankle. "It just swells, I guess. I don't know."

When asked whether Allen's ankle would eventually need surgery, Rivers added, "Ray would probably tell you more than I can tell you. I haven't heard that. I'm just more concerned that this is the second or third time it's happened."

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Ray Allen Injury Update: Celtics Guard Is Out Against Hawks On Wednesday

The Boston Celtics are going to be without shooting guard Ray Allen on Wednesday night against the Atlanta Hawks due to his injured ankle swelling up (via Gethin Coolbaugh's Twitter).

Allen will be missing his seventh game out of the last 12 games the C's have played. So once again, Avery Bradley will start in place of Allen. Allen played 35 minutes against the Heat on Tuesday and scored nine points. He's played at least 28 minutes in the past five games. Bradley has averaged 30.4 minutes, 12.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game during the past five games

In other injury news, forward Mickael Pietrus will be available to play for Boston tonight. Pietrus has been battling a concussion. In 37 games this season, he averages 6.8 points and 2.9 rebounds per game in 21.3 minutes per game.

For more Celtics and Hawks coverage, visit CelticsBlog and Peachtree Hoops.