National Basketball Association

Celtics C Jermaine O'Neal back; Spurs healthy, too

Published Mar. 31, 2011 9:00 p.m. ET

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Boston Celtics center Jermaine O'Neal will play for the first time since January against the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night.

The Spurs are also welcoming back Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili. Both were expected to be in the lineup after their injuries played a part in the NBA-leading Spurs' season-worst four-game skid.

O'Neal had surgery on his left knee Feb. 4 and has played in only 17 games this season. Coach Doc Rivers wasn't expecting much since O'Neal hasn't played in nearly three months.

Duncan missed all four Spurs losses after spraining his left ankle last week. Ginobili sat out Monday's loss against Portland because of a left quad contusion.