Paul Pierce Injury: Updates on Wizards Star's Toe and Return

Paul Pierce missed Washington's Tuesday game vs. Los Angeles. He is expected to play against the Suns on Wednesday.

Continue for updates.

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Pierce Will Play vs. Suns

Wednesday, Jan. 28

Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post reports Pierce will play Wednesday.

Pierce was previously listed as questionable, per Paul Coro of AZ Central.com.

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Pierce Out vs. Lakers With Toe Injury

Tuesday, Jan. 27

Washington Wizards forward Paul Pierce has been ruled inactive for Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers.

The team confirmed the news:

The veteran forward, who's in his first year with the Wizards, has mostly been a bastion of health. He suffered a minor toe injury in December but has kept himself on the floor and integrated himself well within the Washington lineup. A 10-time All-Star, Pierce came into Tuesday scoring 12.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.

The Wizards signed Pierce to a two-year contract at the mid-level exception last offseason, looking to replace the departed Trevor Ariza. While Ariza has continued to thrive in Houston, Washington hasn't much missed his presence. With John Wall's making marked improvements and Bradley Beal's returning from injury in November, the Wizards are well on their way to a second straight playoff berth.

Losing Pierce, even for a couple weeks, wouldn't much alter that trajectory. Otto Porter has made strides in his second season and Rasual Butler has been a very good floor-spacer.

The larger ripple would come if Pierce were to have suffered a true long-term ailment. The Wizards fashion themselves Eastern Conference Finals contenders, and Pierce is a piece of that puzzle. He's a playoff-tested veteran whose performance rarely shrinks when the light is brightest. Any real long-term absence could wind up having effects in May and June.

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