Same name, but different game

The name on the back of the uniform says "Szczerbiak." The face is recognizable. The game, however, is unrecognizable.

That's Wally Szczerbiak out there?

Szczerbiak has played three games since returning from his ankle woes, and, well, it sure looks like Wally out there. But the guy wearing No. 55 has all the mobility of Billy Paultz and all the accuracy of Antoine Walker. That doesn't appear to be the Wally Szczerbiak we've come to know, but, realistically, what can you expect from someone who missed nine straight games?

"This is a process you got to go through when you get injured," Szczerbiak said after the Celtics' 111-98 loss to the Lakers Wednesday. "It's no fun when you get injured. It's no fun coming back and not being the player you're capable of being. It doesn't happen overnight. You have to work through times like this. You got to go through some pain. You got to work through some ups and downs because there'll be a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow sometime."

In three games, Szczerbiak has shot 7 of 30 from the field. He was 1 for 5 against the Lakers, his only basket being a sort of excuse-me 3-pointer from well beyond the top of the key. Coach Doc Rivers has Szczerbiak on a short leash -- 20-25 minutes per night -- and, so far, has kept to it.

But he's wondering who this impostor is as well.

"Wally is still struggling with his conditioning," Rivers said. "And when he's out there, he's the focal point for the other team because we don't have Paul [ Pierce]. It's a little different when you're the man. But at the same time, it's clear he isn't close to doing what we've seen him do and know he can do. And we have to watch his minutes."

Szczerbiak has played 20, 25, and 21 minutes since returning Sunday against the Wizards. The Lakers game was hard because it was the second leg of a back-to-back. He planned to head over to the Celtics' practice facility yesterday for more work on his ankles. There was no practice.

"Doc is doing a wonderful job of monitoring my minutes," Szczerbiak said. "I think my ankles are getting stronger and getting better. I got to do some stuff to strengthen and get my lift back and hopefully do better [tonight against the Clippers]."

His lift? Isn't that kind of crucial for a jump shooter?

"Yeah, I guess so," Szczerbiak said, forcing a smile. "But in this league, teams aren't going to wait or feel sorry for anyone. I just have to figure out a way to get those shots down."

Pierce, sidelined by a stress reaction in his left foot, said he hopes to get back on the court next week. "The cavalry is coming," Pierce told reporters while at Tufts New England Medical Center. He was there for the opening of the Paul Pierce Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery; he donated $250,000 to get the center up and running. Pierce was treated at the hospital after he was stabbed at a Boston nightclub in September 2000 . . . Pierce's five-year streak as an Eastern Conference All-Star came to an end last night with the announcement of the reserves for the game Feb. 18 in Las Vegas. The coaches choose the reserves, and while declining to name his picks, Rivers offered this rationale: "I guarantee you, I vote for [team] record. I'm not saying that's the right way. But that's the way I do it. You should get rewarded when you win and punished when you lose." So far, the only Celtics representative heading to Vegas is one of their team dancers, Courtney. Gerald Green, however, could be selected as a contestant in the Slam-Dunk Contest, the field for which is to be announced Monday . . . Danny Ainge leaves today for China to scout 7-foot prospect Yi Jianlian. Thus, he won't be around to see his team either set the franchise record for consecutive losses or snap its 13-game losing streak tonight against the Los Angeles Clippers at TD Banknorth Garden.

Peter May can be reached at p_may@globe.com.