Celtics' David Lee could miss 'a few days' with bruised right heel

It's times like these that the Boston Celtics can be thankful for their considerable frontcourt depth.

Power forward David Lee, who sat out Saturday's loss to the San Antonio Spurs with a bone bruise in his right heel, said the injury felt worse during Sunday's practice.

The Celtics say there is no word on Lee's availability for Monday night's game against the Pelicans in New Orleans, but he told Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe that he could be out "a few days."

Jockeying for minutes in a crowded frontcourt rotation, Lee has seen his playing time squeezed in his first season with the Celtics; he's averaging a career-low 15.4 minutes per game. While his numbers have dipped accordingly, his per-36 averages (15.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists) are largely in line with his career marks.

"I'll be back as soon as humanly possible," Lee said Sunday. "I wish I had a better idea of how quickly something like this heals."

At 11-9, the Celtics are tied with the Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons for eighth in the Eastern Conference, and just a half-game back of the Toronto Raptors for the Atlantic Division lead.