Ray Allen Injury: Updates on Celtics Star's Ankle Injury

Ray Allen is doubtful for Game 2 of the Boston Celtics first-round playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks due to a lingering ankle injury.

According to Frank Dell’Apa of The Boston Globe, the team is preparing to start a backcourt of Avery Bradley and Mickael Pietrus in a critical road contest on Tuesday night.

UPDATE: Friday, May 4 at 6:45 p.m. ET by Eric Ball

Breathe easy Celtic fans, your sharp-shooting two-guard is back. Sean Grande of NBA.com reports the good news:

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The tweet you’ve been waiting for; Ray Allen will play tonight in Game 3. Josh Smith out for the Hawks..Marvin Williams will start.

— Sean Grande (@SeanGrandePBP) May 4, 2012"

With the series tied at one and Rajon Rondo returning from his suspension and Josh Smith out with an injury, the Celtics have all of the momentum against the Hawks heading into Game 3.

UPDATE: Thursday, May 3 at 11:50 a.m. ET by Nicholas Goss

Ray Allen is really excited about practicing following his injury. He hasn't played through the first two games of the Celtics' first round series versus the Atlanta Hawks.

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Ray: "I do feel good today. I am definitely practicing. I'm excited about it. My body's exited about it. MP (Pietrus) is excited about it."

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 3, 2012"

Allen's return would be welcomed, but young guard Avery Bradley has played very well in his place.

UPDATE: Thursday, May 3 at 9:39 a.m. ET by Nicholas Goss

Doc Rivers still doesn't know if Ray Allen will make his series debut against the Atlanta Hawks in Game 3 on Friday.

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Doc still unsure if Ray Allen will be available for Game 3: "It's frustrating for Ray. He's doing everything he can. It's a tough one."

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 3, 2012"

With Avery Bradley playing well, especially on the defensive end of the floor in Allen's absence, the Celtics should not rush Allen back to the lineup before he's ready.

UPDATE: May 1st, 6:35 p.m. ET

CSN's A. Sherrod Blakely reports Ray Allen will be out yet another game.

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#CelticsTalk: #Celtics Doc Rivers says Ray Allen (ankle) is out for Game 2 tonight vs. #Hawks.

— A. Sherrod Blakely (@SherrodbCSN) May 1, 2012"

Allen—who hasn't seen the court since an April 10 victory over the Miami Heat—missed Game 1 with a sore right ankle that had him listed as 50-50 up until the opening tip. Bradley got the start in his place.

It’s likely that Pietrus will take over shooting guard duties while Avery slides over to point in Rondo’s one-game absence. Rondo will miss time due to a suspension garnered for making contact with a referee.

When asked about Allen’s status for Game 2, coach Doc Rivers did not sound optimistic that his star would be back.

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“If Ray’s not ready, he’s not ready,’’ Rivers said. “One thing I won’t do, I won’t put a guy out there that’s not ready. I just won’t put him on the floor. If Ray told me he could play and (trainer) Eddie [Lacerte] said he could play, he would play.”

"

Boston will rely on Pietrus, who was acquired back in December after he was waived by Phoenix, to step up and hit big shots.

Allen was supposed to be the difference maker in this series with his three-point range and lack of quality perimeter defenders on the Atlanta roster.

After getting torched 83-74 in Game 1, the Celtics cannot afford to put up a dud due to their inexperienced backcourt.

The onus will be on veteran leaders Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to rally their troops and squeak out a crucial win on the road while being undermanned and outgunned.