Jefferson timetable uncertain

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge does not expect an update on Al Jefferson's sprained right ankle until tomorrow at the earliest. The Celtics remain optimistic Jefferson will return in a couple of weeks, though his recovery from the third sprained ankle of his NBA career could take much longer.

Jefferson remained in Boston while the Celtics traveled to Florida for last night's game against the Magic, a 100-91 loss.

''This is a bad one when you look at it on film, but that doesn't mean it was bad," said coach Doc Rivers. ''Going by the way he was reacting, I thought it was broke because of the pain.

''I think he was just disappointed. That's all he kept saying when he was on the floor. But there's no way you can avoid that injury. Unfortunately for him, right when he was just getting back into good condition, he has to sit again.

''He'll be fine. I'm not concerned that he's not going to come back and be 100 percent. I'm concerned with how long that will take.

''What hurts us with Al was that he was our low-post scoring. Now, we have to go back to perimeter basketball, which I'm not a big fan of. We have to try to create points in the paint from post play through Wally [Szczerbiak] and Paul [Pierce] and [Michael] Olowokandi."

Added Ainge, ''It's been disappointing because of how he was playing. He was playing with so much confidence. I thought these next 30-something games were going to be critical for his development.

''Al is learning the hard way."

Jefferson did have his ankles taped when he went down in the second quarter against the Clippers Friday night. But Ainge believes he may need to have his ankles taped even tighter. Jefferson might not feel comfortable with a tighter tape job, but it's better than missing weeks of playing time.

'O' is for opportunity

Attribute it to veteran wisdom. Olowokandi never uttered a word of frustration about his lack of playing time, despite logging only four minutes (in one appearance) in his first four games with the Celtics. He took a philosophical tack when discussing his role with Boston, knowing it could quickly change. And it did when Jefferson sprained his ankle.

Olowokandi played 15 minutes against the Clippers and finished with 10 points (5 for 12) and four rebounds. With Olowokandi on the floor, Rivers worried only about his conditioning.

''I was worried about him passing out at one point," said Rivers. ''It's not like he was playing a whole bunch before he got here [from Minnesota]. Then, once we got him, we hadn't played him at all except for the Minnesota game. I didn't know what to expect.

''Wally, in a timeout, said, 'We can go to O. He can score on these guys.' "

The Clippers game should prove to be just the beginning for Olowokandi as far as playing time. With Jefferson out, Rivers hopes Brian Scalabrine, Ryan Gomes, and/or Olowokandi plays well and earns the available minutes.

Last night, Olowokandi played nine minutes and had 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 1 steal. Scalabrine played 17 minutes (8 points); Gomes did not play.

''I think, as a basketball player, you always have something to prove," said Olowokandi. ''For me, it's just welcoming an opportunity to play basketball. I felt like roles over in Minnesota were very subjective, and that's fine. Every team has a design, but I think over here, given the team is young and in the process of some self-discovery, there are more opportunities."

Let's go to the tape

Szczerbiak taped the left ring finger he dislocated against the Clippers and pronounced himself ready to go against the Magic. ''It's very sore," he said. ''I dislocated it pretty good. I'm lucky it's my left hand." He scored 13 points in 45 minutes . . . In the wake of the Jefferson injury, the Celtics might make a roster move, but Ainge did not anticipate any this weekend . . . Kendrick Perkins set a career high with six blocked shots and led all players with 10 rebounds . . . General manager Chris Wallace is also in Florida, taking a good look at Dwayne Jones, the development league player the Celtics acquired in the Minnesota trade. But don't expect Jones to be called up . . . The Celtics did not arrive at their hotel until about 4 yesterday morning after being delayed by severe weather in Florida.