Since Allen went down with an ankle injury that sidelined him for the last six games, the Celtics have gone on a tear. The team has won five straight without Allen and is 5-1 in his stint on the bench.
With Allen finally getting the strength back in his sore right ankle, the Celtics could have a tender situation on their hands when he returns, which could be as soon as Wednesday's game against the Spurs.
Second-year guard Avery Bradley has given Boston a different personality on both ends of the court, and Celtics coach Doc Rivers has yet to commit to either Bradley or Allen as the starting off-guard once Allen is fully healthy.
After participating in a full practice Tuesday, Allen said he will not upset team chemistry by demanding a certain role.
"Whatever we need to do as a team," Allen said. "I think the effort I've seen over the last week and a half, two weeks has been great and we need to make sure we keep that up. Whatever combinations we work out there, we're all good enough and professional enough to understand it."
Allen has started all but three of his 1,143 career games in the NBA. He has not come off the bench since Dec. 5, 2002, as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks.
It will take Allen some time to get his timing back. That is crucial for a player like Allen, who relies heavily on proper footwork and receiving the pass in just the right spot for his catch-and-shoot game.
"My body needs to rev up," Allen said. "It's like I'm on the highway and my body needs to rev up."
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