Mickael Pietrus spent approximately 15 minutes tonight addressing the media, declaring his love for chicken feet, discussing (and demonstrating) that he has advanced far enough with his concussion that he can now do “The Dougie,” noting that he played one-on-one yesterday, saying his brain can walk on the treadmill, and generally avoiding, or at least being as vague as possible regarding, most questions about his return.

But he’ll play tonight, Doc Rivers said.

“I didn’t decide. Eddie [Lacerte, the Celtics' trainer] told me he could go,” said Rivers. “We’re not going to play him much. Literally maybe five or 10 minutes. But he’s been cleared. He worked out yesterday, and this is good for him to ease him in instead of just throwing him in. It’s not like we’re going to have any practices, so the sooner we could get him on the floor, the better. All the doctors have cleared him, so once I hear that, he’s ready to play.”

“I didn’t expect to see him maybe this year,” Rivers added, “so any [return] is good. I’m very surprised.”

With Ray Allen surprisingly out, Pietrus’ return should really benefit the Celtics, even if it’s just for minor minutes.

But 15 minutes before Rivers spoke, Pietrus compared his return to a video game.

“It’s a wait and see game,” he said. “It’s like you’re in front of the PlayStation. You don’t know when you’re going to reach the end. You’re like, ‘Oh, I’m so excited. Okay, good.’”

I only play Madden, FIFA and NBA 2k12, so I can’t say I’ve ever sat in front of a PlayStation game without knowing when I would reach the end. But I can imagine what it would have been like if I did.

Pietrus either did not know or did not particularly feel like sharing that he was returning tonight, though he might have hinted it to one female reporter in a moment everyone thought was just a joke.

“I’ll play for you tonight, just for you. Me and you,” he said, to which she replied amid laughs, “Oh, wow. What an offer.”

The Celtics wing was not all jokes. He became visibly emotional when asked a series of questions about his concussion.

“I fell so hard I felt like my brain was moving. And then I didn’t feel good. I was throwing up, and then — next question. You’re trying to make me sad,” he said.

But his good spirits have clearly returned. And so have his cooking talents.

“I cooked some chicken,” he said before joking, “The best part is the feet. I like chicken feet.”

Okay, Mr. Pietrus. Um, nice to have you back.