Paul Pierce had an MRI Monday on his foot, which he aggravated Sunday in the Boston Celtics' win over the Miami Heat. A. Sherrod Blakely of ComcastSports New England reports that the MRI results came back negative, and that Pierce is cleared to play Wednesday against the New Jersey Nets.
Pierce also battled a hand injury on Sunday, and shot 0-10, his worst shooting performance since an 0-11 night his rookie season. But the Celtics are suffering from a long list of injuries, with Pierce's top deputy, Marquis Daniels, out another couple of weeks after experiencing a bruised spine a week ago.
Pierce is also slated to play for the Eastern Conference All-Stars at Sunday's 2011 NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles, and defend his Three-Point Shoot-Out title on Saturday. It's unclear whether the Celtics will lobby the NBA to replace Pierce in either event given his injuries. It is worth noting, though, that the Celtics' Doc Rivers will coach the East All-Stars, and as such can limit Pierce's playing time.
After Sunday's win, the Celtics are a half-game ahead of the Heat for the No. 1 seed in the East.