BOSTON (AP) Vin Baker was suspended indefinitely by the Boston Celtics on Friday for failing to comply with his aftercare program.

The suspension took effect immediately, and Baker missed the Celtics' game against the Washington Wizards.

It's the second time this season that Baker, who struggled with alcoholism last spring, has been suspended by the team for failing to comply with his recovery program. On Jan. 7, he was suspended for three games.

The team said it was notified of the violation by a doctor jointly selected by Baker and the team to oversee his aftercare. The Celtics did not specify the nature of the violation.

``We were sorry to learn of Vin's noncompliance,'' team CEO and managing partner Wyc Grousbeck said. ``As we have said throughout this process, we will continue to wish Vin the very best in his aftercare and will refrain from further comment.''

Baker practiced with the team Thursday, but he had not gotten off the bench in three of five games since returning from his first suspension.

The four-time All-Star joined the Celtics before last season after a trade with Seattle. He played poorly, and last February accepted a suspension from the Celtics and checked himself into rehab for alcoholism while his teammates were advancing to the second round of the playoffs.

At the time, it was widely speculated that he might never play again for the Celtics; the only question was whether the team would make him sit at the end of the bench for three years to collect the $44 million left on his contract.

Instead, he lost weight, got in better shape and had a strong start to the season.

Baker started the first 33 games, but his performance declined. In his first 25 games, he scored in double figures 18 times. In the next 10, he reached that level three times.

At the time of his first suspension, Celtics coach Jim O'Brien said he had seen a decline in Baker's play and suspected that he may have faltered in his recovery.