(Sports Network) - Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce said on Saturday he's "definitely" expecting to play Sunday in Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers, despite a knee injury he suffered in the series-opener. Pierce was hurt midway through the third quarter of Thursday's 98-88 Boston victory after a collision with teammate Kendrick Perkins and had to be carried off the court. He returned a few minutes later and helped the Celtics to victory, scoring 19 of his 22 points in the final two quarters.

On Saturday, Pierce said it's not going to be a challenge to get on the court for Game 2.

"I think it's going to be easy as far as handling it mentally because once you step foot on that court, hear the crowd, you look up and you see posters of The Finals, I'm totally going to probably forget about it," Pierce said. "From there on my adrenaline will probably get going. Usually you tend to forget about injuries when you're on that court and you're playing for something special. That's what you dream about all your life."

Pierce underwent tests on the knee, but did not have an MRI exam, which he said won't take place until after the series ends.

On the play, Lakers star Kobe Bryant drove to his right and hit a fall-away jumper. Perkins then accidentally collided with Pierce, whose knee twisted as he fell to the floor.

Pierce is averaging 19.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 21 playoff games this spring.

Perkins also suffered a sprained ankle. He did not return, but will likely be available on Sunday.

"I'm not going to worry about it," Perkins said. "I'm just going to try to go out there and do what I can, and as I said, I'm going to go all-out, and whatever happens, happens."

Boston coach Doc Rivers said while he was concerned about the injuries, he believes both players will be on the court Sunday night.

"I don't know how effective either one will be," Rivers said. "They may be very effective. Paul is moving much better today, that's clear. And so of the two, he's the guy I'm more optimistic about, just from watching him move around and walk around. If we played today, could either one of them play? It would be dicey, but I think they could."





Copyright 2008 The Sports Network
All rights reserved