Celtics center Kelly Olynyk returns Wednesday for first time in 18 games

Boston Celtics center Kelly Olynyk will play Wednesday night against the Utah Jazz after missing the last 18 games with an ankle injury, head coach Brad Stevens said.

Olynyk has not played since Jan. 22, when he landed on Thomas Robinson's foot in a game against the Portland Trail Blazers. 

"I don’t know what to expect," Stevens said of Olynyk's return, according to NESN. "I watched him play 3-on-3 (Tuesday), and he looked good to me. Hopefully, he can give us what he gives us, and that is a skilled offensive guy and a guy defensively with some size."

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The 7-footer was taken with the 13th pick in the 2013 draft. He averaged 8.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game as a rookie last season and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.

In 40 games this season, Olynyk is averaging 11.1 points and 5.4 rebounds per game while shooting 40 percent better from the floor than he did a year ago.

The Celtics are 23-35 and currently sit two games behind the Brooklyn Nets for the Eastern Conference's final playoff spot.

- Dan Gartland