BOSTON (AP) - Celtics star Paul Pierce says there's an excellent chance he'll play in Game 2 of the NBA finals Sunday despite an injured knee.

Pierce said Friday his knee was stiff and swollen and he will not practice over the next two days to get treatment. The 10-year veteran described his injury as a sharp pain. He plans to put off an MRI until after the season.

Pierce was carried from the floor by teammates and carted to the locker room in a wheelchair in the third quarter Thursday night. He returned and finished with 22 points as the Celtics beat the Lakers 98-88.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.