Paul Pierce won’t play, add flu to ailments

Paul Pierce’s sprained right thumb will keep him out of tonight’s game, so tweets A. Sherrod Blakely.

Marquis Daniels gets the start in place of Pierce.

Chris Forsberg reports that Pierce is also battling the flu, but would not have played anyway. He also says the team is not against sitting Pierce for a prolonged stretch of games, and that Pierce has not been seen in the Garden.

Marquis gets start: Pierce not here.
Paul Pierce also battling the flu. Would not have played anyhow with thumb injury. Doc says they’ll take it “day to day,” …
… Doc did suggest that, if Pierce requires an extended break, they’ll do that in order to get him healthy.