Nenad Krstic could return to Boston's lineup on Tuesday night. This is especially good news considering the team lost Shaquile O'Neal for at least a few days with a minor right calf strain.

Krstic tore his left anterior cruciate ligament in 2006, but said he knew this injury was different.

“I knew right away it was not my ACL,’’ Krstic said. “It’s still a little bit sore, but probably I’ll play next game. I’m just happy that it’s nothing really serious. A lot of things go through my head when that happened. I’m just trying to focus on finishing the season.’’

"Krstic is important. He has to be healthy," said coach Doc Rivers. "If we have that we do have size, but we have to have one of the [O’Neals].’’

Jermaine O’Neal had his first start Sunday since returning to the lineup following surgery.