Danny Ainge watched Jermaine O'Neal work out in Chicago this morning, and later said that O’Neal’s return to the team appears to be on schedule.

“It could be next week, which is about what we hoped for - the end of the month,” said Ainge. “He looks good. I watched him go through his workouts.”

The most encouraging news, according to Ainge, is that O’Neal has been able to work out for approximately three weeks without swelling. In addition to working out with a trainer, the center has been playing 1-on-1 basketball.

Ainge said that O’Neal may join the team when it begins a road trip this weekend with back-to-back games in Indiana and Minnesota, though it’s unlikely he would play in either game.

But the trip continues with games in San Antonio (March 31) and Atlanta (April 1) - possible targets for an O’Neal return.