Pierce listed as day to day

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The Celtics may have sidestepped a major injury to Paul Pierce.

The Boston Celtics announced on Tuesday that their All-Star forward suffered a strain of the middle part of his left foot on Monday and is day to day. That news came after NBA.com reported that he may have broken the foot.

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Pierce rolled his foot in the first quarter of Boston's 99-88 victory over the Wizards. Washington's Caron Butler came down on top of Pierce's foot as both players dove for a loose ball.

He stayed in the game through the third quarter but sat out the fourth.

Pierce will return to action as soon as he feels ready, a team source told ESPNBoston's Chris Forsberg on Tuesday. The source also said that he will be monitored by team doctors and no further tests are expected.

"We feel comfortable with it and we are relieved," Celtics president of basketball operation Danny Ainge told the Boston Globe Tuesday night, confirming the diagnosis is final. "When he's ready to play, he will play. I don't know when that is.

"We were concerned after watching the injury and seeing the soreness on Paul's foot this morning and what it looked like on TV. I was worried, so I was very relieved to hear it was a sprained mid foot and that he'll be back soon."

The Celtics have not ruled Pierce out for Wednesday's game against the Heat, but the team will proceed with caution, the source said.

After Monday's game, Pierce said he had what he thought was a mild sprain to his left foot.

"I'll get some X-rays tomorrow, but I think it's not going to be too bad," Pierce told reporters after the game. "I would have known by now [if it was broken]. I think I'll be all right."

But a report on NBA.com on Tuesday afternoon said the injury was much more serious, leaving Celtics Nation on edge, especially since the team just got Kevin Garnett back on the court after an injury. The Celtics have been limping along lately, losing six of eight before Monday's victory.

Pierce leads the team in scoring with 18.9 points per game this season.

Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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