Strain gets best of West

TORONTO -- Delonte West left last night's game with 1 minute 47 seconds remaining in the first quarter and did not return because of a right groin strain.

The point guard tweaked the muscle during warmups. He tried to play, but did not feel comfortable in the first quarter, especially when trying to move laterally and get into his defensive stance. West quickly decided it was best to rest his groin. He will try to practice today at George Washington University. Born in raised in the District of Columbia area, West hopes to be able to play tomorrow night against the Wizards.

''It's something that's been lingering for a while now," said West, who also has a jammed right index finger. ''It's been there two months now. But shooting around I got a little too active before I was stretched all the way and it pulled a little bit. But I still was able to do something today [play 10 minutes 13 seconds], but my lateral movement was limited and we decided to shut it down. As of right now, I'm looking forward to playing [tomorrow]. We're rolling right now and I want to be a part of it.

After an injury-riddled rookie season, West has remained relatively injury free this year, just a few bumps and bruises along the way. Nothing serious. And that also would be how West would describe his current injury. In fact, the medical staff urged West to sit out the game, but calling it ''my decision" he decided to tape the groin and give it a go.

''We're really shorthanded at that position," said coach Doc Rivers. ''We're going to have to try and figure out something if he's going to be out. We just don't know yet. We'll have a better idea [this] morning."

Backup Orien Greene logged a career-high 35 minutes, and is prepared to do the same against the Wizards if West cannot play.

''I've got no choice," said Greene. ''It's time for me to step up. That's how I've got to look at. We've got a man down. Delonte has been playing well for us. I've got to be solid out there and be a little bit more productive.

In encouraging injury news, Al Jefferson (ankle) appears to be quickly rounding into form on both ends of the court. He recorded 13 points and 3 rebounds in 17 minutes off the bench.

Rivers is far from alone among NBA coaches when it comes to waiting on young players to develop. Last night, he needed to look no farther than Toronto coach Sam Mitchell. ''We know we've got a group of guys that are competitive and play hard," said Mitchell, whose team is 21-38. ''We also learned that we've got some young guys that can flat-out play. As a coach and as players, we've been through everything that a team can go through in the year and a half that I've been here. If you name it, we've been through it.

''We've had good starts. We've had good stretches. We've had turnover. We've had changes in management. We're learning. We're growing. We're getting better. It is disappointing that we haven't won more games."

With the names of the men's senior national team pool officially announced yesterday, Mitchell also addressed the importance of continuity. Team USA required players invited to a July training camp, including Boston's Paul Pierce and Toronto's Chris Bosh, to make a three-year commitment to the team.

''Now, all of sudden, everybody wants teams that have been together," said Mitchell. ''If I can't take the 12 best players in America and go win the World Championships and Olympics, well how can you take 12 guys that haven't played together and go win in the NBA?

''Now, everybody says, 'The teams that have an advantage are the teams that have been together for a while, guys who know each other, guys that know how to play with each other.' There was thinking at one time that you just get the best and it's supposed to win. It's refreshing to know that people understand it's not just about talent. It's about how that talent fits well within the team."

The Celtics will play in a special St. Patrick's Day uniform at Orlando March 17. The green jersey comes with white and gold trim and a gold shamrock on the back.