Allen a no-go for Celtics in Game 1 of playoffs

Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen won't play in Game 1 of the NBA playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks.

As expected, coach Doc Rivers said before Sunday's game that Allen won't be in uniform because of an ailing right ankle. He had a cortisone shot last week and says the ankle is feeling better, but not enough to go in the playoff opener. Rivers says the status of the 36-year-old guard will be determined before each game. The coach isn't ruling out the possibility of Allen playing sometime in the series.

Allen missed the last nine games of the regular season and says he already would've undergone surgery on his ankle if it wasn't the playoffs. Rivers expects Mickael Pietrus to take most of the minutes that Allen would've gotten.