Celtics' Allen to travel, but status is uncertain

Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen will travel with the team to Atlanta Saturday afternoon for the first-round playoff series with the Hawks, but he's still unsure if he'll play Sunday in Game 1.

WALTHAM, Mass. -- Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen will travel with the team to Atlanta Saturday afternoon for the first-round playoff series with the Hawks, but he's still unsure if he'll play Sunday in Game 1.

"I can't say," said Allen, who has a sore right ankle and has not played in two weeks. "Still day to day."

Celtics coach Doc Rivers, however, said he does not think Allen will play Sunday.

"Honestly, I don't think he'll play, but we'll find that out. He can play, so I'm not saying he's not, and it would be very nice if he does, but he's just not moving well and we'll just find out."

Allen said the swelling in the ankle has subsided, and he has seen improvement, thanks in part to a cortisone shot he took earlier in the week.

"I'm still dealing with trying to work through it," he said. "I know it's weak, but I still have pain in it, so we'll see."

Rivers said Allen will not participate in the team's brief practice Saturday before the flight to Atlanta.

Allen, 36, admitted he will require surgery at some point, but also said it is not an option now because of the playoffs. He said if this were the beginning of the season, he would opt to have surgery.

Rivers said everyone else on the team is healthy and ready to play Sunday.