Ankle keeping Jefferson down
No guarantee on return this season
WALTHAM -- Al Jefferson watched the end of practice yesterday with his right foot soaking in a bucket of ice. It was not the ending Jefferson wanted. He had hoped to return to team workouts today, but a sprained right ankle continues to sideline the second-year power forward. It is uncertain when Jefferson will return to the Celtics lineup.
After practice, coach Doc Rivers raised the possibility of Jefferson missing the rest of the season. Understandably disappointed, Jefferson did not speak to reporters yesterday.
''He's just going to take his time and we're just going to wait," said Rivers. ''I really would like to get him back before the season ends. I just think it would be nice to get him back on the floor, but if he's not ready, he's not ready."
Asked if Jefferson's absence would stretch into next week, Rivers said, ''Or next season, even. I don't think so, honestly, but it could. It possibly could.
''It's just sore, and he's not able to put a lot of pressure on it and run well. It's affected the way he plays. When he gets closer, there's a point where we have to decide, 'Can he play, can he manage the pain while he's playing, and can he be functional on the basketball court?'
''For young guys, I don't think it's easy for them. They don't know how to play without all their tools."
When the team travels to New York for tonight's game against the Knicks, Jefferson will remain in Boston for workouts geared toward rehabilitation and conditioning.
According to Rivers, one of the benefits of Jefferson's extra conditioning has been weight loss. Rivers also noted that recent tests on the ankle, including an MRI, showed no structural damage. But there is a still a bruise resulting from the initial sprain suffered Feb. 3 against the Clippers.
''It is physical," said Rivers. ''It's probably some mental as well. I'm sure it's a little bit of both, but that's with every injury."
Whether or not Jefferson misses the remaining 11 games on the schedule, the 2005-06 season will be something of a lost year for him. A sprained left ankle during training camp delayed his development at the start of the season and took away valuable time on the court to learn the NBA game. The same can be said of his most recent injury.
King said Greene's vehicle was spotted by an officer at 3:23 a.m. traveling at speeds over 90 miles per hour on Main Street.
According to King, the vehicle came close to hitting parked cars, and slowed and accelerated several times ''which the officer believed was evasive movements."
King said the police report did not indicate any tests for alcohol or other substances being administered in the field.
Greene was arraigned Monday at Waltham District Court, where the criminal counts -- failing to stop for a police officer and operating recklessly -- were dismissed upon payment of $100 fines for each. On the other counts, Greene was deemed responsible, and the charges were placed on file with the court and the case closed.
''He will be disciplined by the team, significantly," said Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck.
From the start of the season, the Celtics have said they are committed to a code of conduct among team personnel that emphasizes personal responsibility.
Greene participated in practice yesterday and is expected to play tonight.
