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When the Boston Celtics arrived at the United Center for today's practice, Avery Bradley was one of the first to enter the court area. That's not surprising when you consider he was just moments away from practicing -- something he has not done in nearly six months. It's still too soon to say when he will play again, but Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge told CSNNE.com recently that he anticipates Bradley's return to games being sometime in early January. CSNNE.com

Boston Celtics, Avery Bradley, Injuries 

Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley, sidelined since mid-May with shoulder issues that required a pair of offseason surgeries, engaged in contact activities for the first time during the team's off-day workout on Monday in Chicago, according to the team. He participated in the full 90-minute session. ESPN.com

Boston Celtics, Avery Bradley, Injuries 

Though he didn't want to commit firmly to the timetable, Ainge suggested Bradley could return after the Celtics' post-Christmas West Coast trip, which concludes on Dec. 30 against the Sacramento Kings. Additionally, Ainge said the team will consider sending Bradley up to Portland, Maine, to play in a handful of rehab games with the Red Claws before he returns. "I think our timetable is to get him back probably after the West Coast trip," Ainge said. "I mean, that's hopeful. I hate doing timetables, but we are getting closer, and he is looking good. We'd like to get him practicing, and we're going to contemplate the possibility of some rehab games in Portland, maybe one or two. Maybe none. But we'll be really careful with Avery." ESPN.com

Boston Celtics, Avery Bradley, Injuries 

Bradley underwent surgery on both shoulders to repair a condition that caused them to pop out of their sockets. The Celtics have been cautious with his recovery. “I feel a lot better,” Bradley said. “I’m just so excited that I’m getting more closer medically. I can’t wait to see my teammates. Every single day I come in, I tell the trainers to have them test me out to see how strong I am.” Boston Globe

Boston Celtics, Avery Bradley, Injuries 

The Boston Celtics are expecting Avery Bradley back on the practice court within 10 days -- or sooner -- with a return to action likely after the start of the New Year. "Avery is coming along really well," C's president of basketball operations Danny Ainge told CSNNE.com. "He has had no setbacks." Bradley's return to action was believed to be in the middle of this month, but Ainge said, "we've adjusted the timeline by a week or so just to make sure his shoulders are completely strong enough and balanced. CSNNE.com

Boston Celtics, Avery Bradley, Injuries 

Rivers said he still has no idea when guard Avery Bradley will return from shoulder surgeries but he is participating in drills before practice and is taking shots before every game. But an NBA source said Bradley is “close” to returning to practice and it could be “any day.” Bradley had the first procedure in June and the second in July. Rivers and the source said Bradley could play a few games in the NBADL to get some extra conditioning before making his return. Bradley last played in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the 76ers when a collision with Philadelphia center Lavoy Allen knocked his right shoulder out of place. Boston Globe

Boston Celtics, Avery Bradley, Injuries 

Jessica Camerato: Best part of @Avery Bradley Black Friday shopping story-he purposely didn't buy anything for himself, only for his family to do smtg special Twitter @JCameratoNBA

Avery Bradley 

A. Sherrod Blakely: The #Celtics haven't ruled out a short stint for Avery Bradley in the D-League once he's healthy enough to resume playing. Twitter @SherrodbCSN

Boston Celtics, Avery Bradley, D-League 

Avery Bradley’s return from shoulder surgery is still on pace, but, according to Rivers, he’s six weeks or more away. Said Bradley: “We’ve got a timetable, but at the end of the day it comes down to how I feel.” Boston Herald

Boston Celtics, Avery Bradley, Injuries 

The Boston Celtics announced today that they exercised the fourth year option in the contract of guard Avery Bradley. This option covers the 2013-2014 NBA Season. Bradley, a 6’2” guard, had a breakout season during the 2011-12 season recording career highs in virtually every statistical category. Bradley averaged 7.6 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 21.4 minutes in 64 games last season. He shot 49.8% from the field and shot 40.7% from three-point land. He set new career-high with 28 points against Atlanta on April 20 while also recording a career-high four steals. NBA.com

Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Avery Bradley 

Chris Forsberg: Everyone (sans Avery Bradley) participated in practice today. Encouraging sign for Darko (who said he's 100%) and Wilcox. Twitter @ESPNForsberg

Boston Celtics, Darko Milicic, Chris Wilcox, Avery Bradley, Injuries 

Avery Bradley doesn't have a timetable for his return and hasn't even touched a basketball. He joked that he would have wanted to shoot it and maybe hurt himself. After tearing his left shoulder completely and a lot of his right, doctors told him he'd be out until January but right now, he weeks ahead of schedule. Even three months from seeing the floor, AB says, "my confidence level is so high right now." Love this kid. Celtics Blog

Boston Celtics, Avery Bradley, Injuries 

Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley, who underwent separate offseason surgeries on his shoulders, is "nowhere near ready" to participate in the team's training camp, which opens on Friday, coach Doc Rivers said. "Not even close,'' Rivers told ESPNBoston.com. "I don't like to put a time limit on injuries, but I don't think you'll see him before December -- and there's a chance it could be closer to January.'' ESPN.com

Boston Celtics, Avery Bradley, Injuries 

A source said in July that Bradley would likely be ready in time for training camp in September, but the Celtics later acknowledged he could miss the early part of the season. Early last month, Bradley said he wasn't sure when he'd be able to fully resume basketball activities. "For any athlete, especially me being a young athlete, it's hard for me to not to be able to wake up every day and play the game of basketball," Bradley said. "It's hard for me. I just have to take it day by day and let my body heal itself." ESPN.com

Boston Celtics, Avery Bradley, Injuries 

Two years ago, as a rookie, Avery Bradley actually tried to hide in practice. “I didn’t want to get in, because I was so scared of KG [Kevin Garnett] yelling at me if I messed up,” he said during a panel Thursday hosted by Jessica Camerato at the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation’s Summer Soiree. “I would sit on the sideline. I might not even get in the whole practice, because I didn’t want KG to yell at me.” WEEI.com

Boston Celtics, Avery Bradley, Kevin Garnett 

You forget Bradley’s only 21 years old, since he’s the elder Celtics statesman on a panel that included newcomers Courtney Lee, Kris Joseph and Dionte Christmas. How far the shy kid has come from Tacoma, Wash. “We’re like a family,” added Bradley, making his third charitable appearance in as many days. “These guys are going to learn that we’re like a family on and off the court. We all hang out. We all go to each other’s house. It felt good to be part of a family, and I felt a lot more comfortable around the guys.” WEEI.com

Boston Celtics, Avery Bradley 

Peter Stringer: Bradley on surgery: "I had to think about my future with the team. I could have been really set back (if I continued to hurt the shoulder)." Twitter

Boston Celtics, Avery Bradley, Injuries 

"Ray was a great tutor," said Bradley, who struggled with his ability to generate offense early in his NBA career, but blossomed last season as he became more confident in his jump shot. "I'm sad that he's gone, but we all wish the best for him. But he definitely meant a lot. He helped me out every single day. Sometimes I'd just be working out and he'd be watching on the side. He'd get up and tell me what I needed to work on, or tell me how I can be more consistent. I really thank him for that." ESPN.com

Boston Celtics, Ray Allen, Avery Bradley 

Bradley expressed uncertainty about when he'll be able to resume basketball activities. A source close to the player suggested last month that he's still targeting a training camp return, but the Celtics expressed a possibility that he could miss the start of the regular season after undergoing two shoulder surgeries over the past three months. ESPN.com

Boston Celtics, Avery Bradley, Injuries, Training Camp 

Off-season surgery on both shoulders has helped Celtics guard Avery Bradley regain some of the range of motion he lost during the regular season. But as far as whether he'll be ready in time for training camp? That remains to be seen. CSNNE.com

Boston Celtics, Avery Bradley, Injuries, Training Camp