The Boston Celtics’ first-round opener against the Atlanta Hawks is just two days away, but the Celtics are still very uncertain about Ray Allen’s status.

Allen didn’t practice Friday, might on Saturday, could play on Sunday, but really, nobody seems to know when, or even if, he’ll return during the playoffs. (WEEI)

Asked whether he was confident that Allen would be ready, coach Doc Rivers wouldn’t say. “I don’t know if I’m confident or not,” Rivers said. “I don’t have an answer. I don’t know how to answer that.”

Even if Allen does somehow return Sunday despite bone spurs that have left his ankles swollen after workouts, don’t expect the world’s smoothest shooter to return 100 percent. He’s been out since April 10 and has played just five games during the past five weeks.

“There’s nothing I can do about it,” Rivers said. “His rhythm is not going to be good. He hasn’t played in two weeks. He’s been running on that space machine that takes up all the whatever, so he hasn’t even run on the floor. If he’s ready to play we’re going to play him. Whether he has rhythm or can make shots will dictate that. I’d like to see him on the floor. Rhythm or no rhythm. If I tell Ray to stand in the corner, someone’s going to stand next to him. That creates spacing and that’s good for us.”

Is there any way Allen can A) return from this injury within two days when nobody seems very confident in that, and B) actually make an impact after almost three weeks with no basketball?

We’ll see.