Garnett hurts right leg vs. Pistons, X-ray reveals no fracture in bone

The Boston Celtics suffered a scare Wednesday at Detroit when power forward Kevin Garnett suffered an injury to his lower right leg -- apparently near the knee

The Boston Celtics suffered a scare Wednesday at Detroit when power forward Kevin Garnett suffered an injury to his lower right leg -- apparently near the knee that has bothered him the previous two seasons.

The Celtics said an X-ray of Garnett's leg revealed no bone fracture. He was expected to undergo an MRI Thursday.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers told reporters after the Celtics' 104-92 loss to Detroit that Garnett had suffered a muscle injury and that athletic trainer Ed Lacerte had predicted Garnett will "be all right.''

"I don't think it's bad, so I'm not that concerned,'' added Rivers. "He's going to miss games probably, I don't know how many, but I don't think it will be that long.''

Garnett underwent arthroscopic surgery in May 2009 to remove a large bone spur from the back of his right knee. The injury sidelined him from the playoffs that year and continued to limit him last season. This year he had made a full recovery and was averaging 9.8 rebounds -- his best effort in four seasons as a Celtic, and a remarkable comeback for a 34 year old in his 16th NBA season.

The 6-foot-11, 253-pound Garnett suffered the injury while launching for an uncontested two-handed dunk with 2:31 remaining in the first quarter. He hung from the rim in order to soften his landing. Then, he got up and limped in obvious pain to mid-court, where he fouled the Pistons' Tayshaun Prince in order to stop play. Eventually he would limp to the bench and then to the locker room, though later in the first half the Celtics were heartened to see Garnett walking under his own power.