WALTHAM — Since rejoining the Celtics lineup for their Christmas Day game against the Magic, Glen Davis has given the Celtics energy and hustle. Last Saturday against the Raptors, Davis gave them something else. In his longest outing of the season — 20 minutes — Davis scored 15 points to go with five rebounds and helped turn the game in the Celtics favor.

It was his best outing since returning from the broken thumb that cost him the first 27 games of the season, and his first since spraining his ankle against Golden State. Despite the bumps and bruises, Davis has played fearlessly, almost recklessly, even with his thumb still supported by a wrap.”I wouldn’t play if I was limited,” he said. “I’ve got a couple of bumps and bruises here, but I’ll be all right.”

Davis has a lot to prove. He knows that and so do his Celtics teammates, but they are solidly in his corner.

“Baby wants it,” Kendrick Perkins said. “He was anxious to play. He came back from the summer this preseason and he was playing great. Unfortunately he had to go out with the injury he had, but I think he’s ready to play. It’s a great situation for him to get his rhythm back and prove to Doc [Rivers] that he’s ready and he’s going to help us win.”

Davis helped make a name for himself last season when he stepped in for Kevin Garnett and made some memorable shots during the playoffs. His ability to step out and knock down the 18-foot jumper fits right in with the Celtics system, but he also provides a low post player who can, and will, take the ball strong to the basket.

Now that he’s back on the court, the next step for Davis is developing consistency as a 15-20 minute a night performer. That will take some time, but he appears to be on the right track.

“I’m just taking it one day at a time going as hard as possible, making sure I’m doing what I have to do,” Davis said. “I’m not worrying about other things. I’m not worried about things I can’t control.”

Leave a Reply