
Allen, who is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer, said after Saturday's loss to the Miami Heat in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals that surgery was his top offseason priority.
"That's my first priority, just going into surgery sometime," said Allen. "If I can do it tomorrow, I would do it tomorrow. That's probably my main concern right now, is taking care of that. My body feels good. That's been my only issue. After that, it's hard to say."
The bone spurs flared after Allen tweaked the ankle during Boston's west coast trip in March. Later in the month, Allen missed six games and returned only to relinquish his starting job to second-year guard Avery Bradley. Allen then sat out the final nine games of the regular season and the first two games of the postseason before grinding through Boston's final 18 playoff games.
Allen's injury left his performance inconsistent in the postseason and his scoring average dipped even as he returned to the starting lineup after Bradley underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in the conference semifinals.
Allen earned $10 million this season in the final year of a two-year, $20 million pact signed after Boston's loss in the 2010 NBA Finals. Asked about potentially keeping the core together again next season and making yet another run, Allen didn't address his future except to acknowledge that -- even with his 37th birthday looming next month -- he still plans to play next year.
"There's still a lot of basketball left in my legs. I know that for sure," said Allen.
PODCASTS
Play Podcast ESPN MLB Insider Buster Olney gives his thoughts on Mike Trout's cycle and compares Trout's production with Miguel Cabrera's. Olney also says Jacoby Ellsbury's lack of production is putting the Red Sox in a tough spot and explains why Cole Hamels' poor start isn't too much of a concern.
Play Podcast Indians manager Terry Francona dishes on his return to baseball, joining Cleveland, Miguel Cabrera, his time with the Red Sox, MLB's usage of instant replay and more.
Play Podcast ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter covers Rob Gronkowski's latest forearm surgery, the possibility of a new league schedule, Super Bowls L and LI, Charles Woodson and more.
Play Podcast ESPN NHL analyst Barry Melrose talks about big wins for the Bruins and Sharks on Thursday night and compares the end of Wayne Gretzky's career to the end of Michael Jordan's career.
Play Podcast Adnan Virk and Chris Broussard discuss another surgery on Rob Gronkowski's broken forearm and wonder if Gronkowski's inability to heal from this injury is a red flag for the rest of Gronkowski's career.
TEAM LEADERS
| POINTS | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Paul Pierce
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| OTHER LEADERS | ||||||||||||
| Rebounds | K. Garnett | 7.8 | ||||||||||
| Assists | R. Rondo | 11.1 | ||||||||||
| Steals | R. Rondo | 1.8 | ||||||||||
| Blocks | K. Garnett | 0.9 | ||||||||||






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