BOSTON -- Boston Celtics veteran forward Jermaine O'Neal has opted against surgery on his injured left knee, but will miss the next four weeks while undergoing rehab for the ailment.
O'Neal has played in just 17 contests this season due to the injury, averaging 5.2 points and 3.8 points for the Eastern Conference leaders.
"We had a discussion at halftime, Jermaine, and myself, and our medical staff, and have decided that we are not doing surgery," Celtics general manager Danny Ainge said after the Celtics' win over Detroit on Wednesday. "He'll be rehabbing to build strength in his leg to get ready for the end of the season."
The 32-year-old O'Neal is coming off a 70-game season with the Heat, with whom he logged 13.6 points and 6.9 rebounds per outing.
