Injured Pierce will play tonight

The Celtics’ player underwent knee therapy and will face the Lakers.

BOSTON (AP) — In the past two days, New England’s most celebrated right knee — and to this point, the focal point of the NBA finals — has been encased in ice, undergone electrical stimulation therapy, even had lasers fired at it.

Paul Pierce’s knee has been primped, prodded and pampered like never before.

It’s not 100 percent, but it’s good enough.

Pierce, who sprained his knee and made a dramatic return in Boston’s series-opening win over the Los Angeles Lakers after being carried off the floor in the second half, said Saturday that he will “definitely” play in Game 2 tonight.

“Once those lights come on and the popcorn starts popping, I’ll be ready,” declared the Celtics’ All-Star forward and captain.

Wearing a black elastic brace and white sleeve over his injury, Pierce reported that his knee was less swollen. He’s still not able to bend it the way he’d like, but Pierce feels with another 24 hours of rest and treatment that he’ll be able to start.

How effective he’ll be is another story.

“Knowing my threshold of pain, to go out there and play shouldn’t be a problem,” said Pierce, who only planned to shoot free throws and walk through some plays Saturday.

Celtics center Kendrick Perkins also expects to be in the starting lineup after spraining his left ankle in Game 1.

Pierce’s playing status, and skepticism about the severity of his injury, have been the dominant topics of conversation in the renewed rivalry between the Lakers and Celtics, who are meeting in the finals for the first time since 1987.

Friday, Los Angeles coach Phil Jackson raised a few eyebrows by wondering if Pierce had been overly dramatic about the injury.

Moments after he was lifted from the floor by teammates and placed in a wheelchair, Pierce jogged back out of the tunnel to a thundering ovation and quickly made consecutive 3-pointers as the Celtics took control and went on to a 98-88 win.