BOSTON - Avery Bradley was smiling in the Celtics locker room before Monday's game against the Jazz, and for good reason.
He's going to play in it.
Bradley, the team's second-highest leading scorer this season averaging 15.2 points per game, suffered an ankle injury late in Saturday's win over the Heat after stepping on the foot of Heat center Hassan Whiteside. He missed about two minutes before returning, but didn't look completely comfortable playing on it.
Brad Stevens said after that game that Bradley had twisted his ankle. On Monday, Stevens put an end to any concern, saying the C's shooting guard is "fine".
Bradley, who spoke with reporters before Monday's game, said he still hadn't seen the play yet, but he did say "it hurt bad".
With the game coming down to the final minutes, Bradley didn't allow the team to wrap the ankle - there wasn't enough time for that.
"I was able to get treatment after," Bradley said. "Actually when I went back in the game I was still a little stiff. It was hurting me. But it feels a little better now. It still hurts a little bit. It swelled up a little bit. But I’ll be fine."
Bradley will make sure to take the proper precautions regarding not just the ankle but his entire body by stretching and doing other things that he's taken from past teammates and incorporated into his own routine. Specifically, he mentioned learning the importance of stretching and eating healthy from Brandon Bass, as well as the importance of watching film from Rajon Rondo.
"I can go down a list of guys I've picked up things from because I want to be the best professional I can be and pass it down to guys like Terry [Rozier] and those guys," Bradley said. "Let them prepare for the game the right way."