Shooting Guard

By Gary Washburn, Globe Staff PHILADELPHIA -- The Celtics are not expected to have Avery Bradley for the rest of the season because of a left shoulder injury. A source close to Bradley told the Globe that the percentile is in the "high 90s" that Bradley will be shut down and will perhaps need surgery. The source said that it's "highly likely" Bradley's left shoulder would pop out again -- it has popped out twice in the series against the Philadelphia 76ers -- and playing further would put him at risk of "serious structural damage.

PHILADELPHIA - The Celtics are not expecting to have Avery Bradley for the rest of the playoffs because of a left shoulder injury, a source close to the shooting guard said Wednesday. Asked for a percentage about Bradley having played his final game this season, the source said in the "high 90s. " The source said it's "highly likely" Bradley's left shoulder would pop out again - it has popped out twice in the series against the 76ers - and playing would put him at risk of "serious structural damage.

Celtics fans saw a bit of the versatility of the 76ers' Evan Turner Saturday night, such as when he easily made a midrange jumper over Rajon Rondo or soared for a rebound to begin a Philadelphia fast break. While Turner may have struggled against some other NBA clubs, he has turned into a problem for the Celtics. At 6 feet 7 inches, Turner is a difficult matchup because he can play point guard, has the offensive skills of a shooting guard, and the size of a small forward. While he is one of a handful of potential cornerstones for the 76ers, he is the most intriguing.

PHILADELPHIA - The Celtics are not expecting to have Avery Bradley for the rest of the playoffs because of a left shoulder injury, a source close to the shooting guard said Wednesday. Asked for a percentage about Bradley having played his final game this season, the source said in the "high 90s. " The source said it's "highly likely" Bradley's left shoulder would pop out again - it has popped out twice in the series against the 76ers - and playing would put him at risk of "serious structural damage.

New Virginia Tech men's basketball coach James Johnson has landed his first player. Johnson says guard Adam Smith is transferring from UNC Wilmington to the Hokies. Smith started 29 games for the Seahawks as a freshman and was second on the team with a 13.7-point scoring average. He did some of his best work in the biggest games, scoring 32 against Wake Forest and 23 against Maryland. The Jonesboro, Ga., native will have three years of eligibility remaining after sitting out the coming season.

Meet the standout performers who earned All-Scholastic honors for their work this winter. SUPER TEAM Matt Droney Catholic Memorial, Droney was named the Catholic Conference Most Valuable Player after averaging 20.7 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds a game for the Knights. The senior 6-foot-4-inch shooting guard also passed the 1,000 point scoring mark this season and plans to attend prep school next year at Taft. Kevin LaFrancis, Acton-Boxborough, Senior LaFrancis earned the Dual County League MVP after averaging 19.9 points a game for the Colonials, who finished 22-2.

Celtics fans saw a bit of the versatility of the 76ers' Evan Turner Saturday night, such as when he easily made a midrange jumper over Rajon Rondo or soared for a rebound to begin a Philadelphia fast break. While Turner may have struggled against some other NBA clubs, he has turned into a problem for the Celtics. At 6 feet 7 inches, Turner is a difficult matchup because he can play point guard, has the offensive skills of a shooting guard, and the size of a small forward. While he is one of a handful of potential cornerstones for the 76ers, he is the most intriguing.

By Gary Washburn, Globe Staff CHICAGO -- Doc Rivers mentioned before tonight's Celtics game with the Chicago Bulls that Ray Allen made it through Wednesday's return game healthy. What he didn't mention was that he decided to replace Allen in the starting lineup with Avery Bradley, who enjoyed great success in Allen's absence. Bradley scored a team-high 19 points off the bench in Wednesday's 87-86 loss to the Spurs and Rivers said Wednesday who was starting "was no big deal.

My viewing habits: I don't mean to be a nerd, but holy moly guacamole! I saw a team Tuesday night that I can get behind. Missouri plays the way I love to see teams play, fast and unselfishly on offense while throwing up a few wild shots and then turning up the pressure with some tough half-court defense. It's hard to believe that Mike Anderson left Missouri for Arkansas when he had this type of team returning. Frank Haith has to be the luckiest man in the world. He got out of a doomed situation in Miami, where it's difficult for any coach to win, plus the school...

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - The Pistons don't know if Richard Hamilton will be healthy enough to play against the Celtics tonight in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals. Detroit's leading scorer strained his right elbow in the final seconds of Boston's 106-102 win Wednesday night in Game 5. X-rays were negative, and Hamilton's arm was in a sling as he left TD Banknorth Garden. "If we had to play [yesterday], I don't think he'd play," said coach Flip Saunders, whose team didn't practice yesterday.

New Virginia Tech men's basketball coach James Johnson has landed his first player. Johnson says guard Adam Smith is transferring from UNC Wilmington to the Hokies. Smith started 29 games for the Seahawks as a freshman and was second on the team with a 13.7-point scoring average. He did some of his best work in the biggest games, scoring 32 against Wake Forest and 23 against Maryland. The Jonesboro, Ga., native will have three years of eligibility remaining after sitting out the coming season.

Celtics fans saw a bit of the versatility of the 76ers' Evan Turner Saturday night, such as when he easily made a midrange jumper over Rajon Rondo or soared for a rebound to begin a Philadelphia fast break. While Turner may have struggled against some other NBA clubs, he has turned into a problem for the Celtics. At 6 feet 7 inches, Turner is a difficult matchup because he can play point guard, has the offensive skills of a shooting guard, and the size of a small forward. While he is one of a handful of potential cornerstones for the 76ers, he is the most intriguing.

Celtics fans saw a bit of the versatility of the 76ers' Evan Turner Saturday night, such as when he easily made a midrange jumper over Rajon Rondo or soared for a rebound to begin a Philadelphia fast break. While Turner may have struggled against some other NBA clubs, he has turned into a problem for the Celtics. At 6 feet 7 inches, Turner is a difficult matchup because he can play point guard, has the offensive skills of a shooting guard, and the size of a small forward. While he is one of a handful of potential cornerstones for the 76ers, he is the most intriguing.

Al Horford is back in the starting lineup for the Atlanta Hawks as they try to avoid elimination in their first-round series against the Boston Celtics. Horford missed most of the regular season and the first three games of the playoffs after undergoing pectoral surgery. He made a surprising return in Game 4, coming off the bench for 12 points and five rebounds in a 22-point loss. With the Celtics leading 3-1, Atlanta made a couple of changes for Game 5 on Tuesday night.

Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo has been suspended for Game 2 of the opening-round playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks. The NBA announced its decision Monday, less than 24 hours after Rondo stuck out his chest to bump referee Marc Davis while complaining about a call in the final minute of Boston's 83-74 loss in Game 1. Rondo won't be able to play Tuesday night in Atlanta when the Celtics try to even the series. The NBA's assist leader scored 20 points and dished out 11 assists in the opener, leaving Boston with a huge hole in its lineup.

Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen is still not sure if he'll be able to play in the playoff opener against the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday. Allen has not played in two weeks because of a sore right ankle. He was shooting around before practice with the team on Saturday and said he would take part in some of the "smaller parts" of the workout. But coach Doc Rivers said Allen would not practice and he didn't think he would play in Game 1, either. The 36-year-old shooting guard said he received a cortisone shot on Wednesday.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have picked up contract options for swingman Wes Johnson, guard Wayne Ellington and forward Lazar Hayward. The moves Wednesday include third-year options for Johnson and Hayward and the fourth year for Ellington. Johnson averaged nine points, three rebounds and almost two assists as a rookie last year. The fourth overall pick set a franchise record for 3-pointers made by a rookie with 103. With the addition of forward Derrick Williams, Johnson is going to be counted on heavily at shooting guard.

By Gary Washburn, Globe Staff NEW YORK -- Ray Allen will return to the court tonight against the New York Knicks after missing the past four games with a sore right ankle. Allen said before the team's shootaround at Madison Square Garden this morning that he will have to carefully monitor the progress of his surgically repaired ankle. Allen will come off the bench as he had before the injury, and his return gives Celtics coach Doc Rivers more options with a healthy Mickael Pietrus back and Avery Bradley as the starting shooting guard.