Pietrus passes 'baseline' concussion test

Celtics swingman Mickael Pietrus has passed the first of several concussion tests needed to receive clearance for a return to game action, coach Doc Rivers announced before Sunday's game against the Sixers. 

It was against those same 76ers on March 23 that Pietrus was fouled by Lou Williams and fell awkwardly to the floor, twisting his back and snapping his head back in a whiplash fashion. Despite not hitting his head, Pietrus was on the floor for nearly 10 minutes before being carried out of Wells Fargo Center and held overnight in Philadelphia. 

Pietrus was diagnosed with a concussion that left him in such discomfort that he could not walk anywhere without sunglasses. That had to improve before he was even cleared to undergo what are being termed "baseline" tests to determine the severity. There is still no timetable for a return.  

But Doc Rivers sounded a bit more optimistic before Sunday's game, joking, "he's talking loud again and that's a good thing." 

Pietrus has been visiting his team before home games wearing sunglasses to take away the discomfort from the glare of lights. He also visited the team during practice last Tuesday but had to leave because the sound of bouncing basketballs. 

For complete coverage from the team of Paul Flannery and Mike Petraglia, visit the Celtics team page at weei.com/celtics [1] and the Green Street [2] blog.