After telling reporters his return would be known approximately 24 hours before it happens, Paul Pierce tweeted that he is “close very very close” to something, presumably his return to the Boston Celtics lineup.

The Cs have lost their first three games and Doc Rivers is probably spending his Thursday night praying for Pierce to come back Friday from a bone bruise in his right heel. In fact, the only person with Celtics ties who might not want Pierce to make his way back is Sasha Pavlovic, who has started in Pierce’s absence. And even Pavlovic must be somewhat sick of starting, at least during game film sessions when he needs to watch himself. That can’t be fun. “Oh, there’s me, standing in the corner doing nothing again.”

Pierce’s return — whether it comes tomorrow night against the Detroit Pistons or at a later date to be determined — will certainly help. So will returning home to the TD Garden. And so will declining to take those horse tranquilizers the Celtics obviously used prior to the Hornets game.