Bird’s Status Is Still Uncertain

For three weeks, Larry Bird worked quietly to get his back in shape for the playoffs. Friday night at the Boston Garden, Bird did some serious talking --21 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists and three steals -- as the Celtics toughed out a seven-point victory over the Indiana Pacers in a first-round game.

“I’m glad to see Larry delivered,” Robert Parish said. “He shut up the critics. Now, they have nothing to talk about.”

Not entirely true. Game 2 of the best-of-five series is Sunday at the Garden. Bird prepared by spending Friday night in traction at New England Baptist Hospital. He was at practice Saturday, did some light shooting and hinted he will play.

His status -- a central question among Bird critics and fans alike -- has not changed. Bird is listed as day-to-day, as he has been for the past 20 days. In that span, Bird has played two games and practiced only once. A nerve root in his lower back is still inflamed.

“We’re not talking about the situation until Larry makes his decision tomorrow,” Celtics’ General Manager Jan Volk said Saturday afternoon.

When it comes to questions about his back, Bird is testy. When asked if the 41 minutes he played against the Pacers had any effect on his chances of playing today, Bird snapped, “I don’t know, did it? That’s Sunday. Today is today.” Saturday, when asked about his lumbar region, Bird said, “Ahhh, I don’t want to talk about that.” It has become a typical response.

The rest of the Celtics go on with their business. They have resigned themselves to Bird’s playing today, but not tomorrow. Or vice versa.

“I think this puts us in a good position -- when you don’t know what to expect from (Bird)” point guard Brian Shaw said. “Because we prepare to play without him, but when he does play and gives you something, it’s a plus.”

Bird sure gave the Celtics something Friday night. He may have shot like he had blinders on (6 for 20 from the field) but, for all his pain, he carried the Celtics in the fourth quarter.

“You saw Larry moving better as the game moved along,” Kevin McHale said. “His shooting wasn’t normal, but he was getting more into the rhythm of the game. I don’t care how many years you’ve been playing -- you need some practices and games to feel the flow.”

Said Shaw: “When Larry is out there, what he does is command a lot of attention. Even when he’s not shooting well, he’s doing other things. He rebounds, passes. One of the little things he did (in Game 1) was take Chuck Person out of his game (after a shoving match).”

The Celtics probably are hoping to have Bird for today’s game, take a 2-0 series lead, then give Bird a one-game break and go for a split in Indiana.