Celtics captain Paul Pierce did not accompany the team to Minnesota for the second night of a back-to-back and will sit out Monday's game against the Timberwolves, according to the team.

The team classified Pierce's absence as being for personal reasons. Coach Doc Rivers had strongly hinted after Sunday's loss in New York that Pierce, who iced a sore right ankle on the bench during the fourth quarter against the Knicks, would not play in Minnesota.

Courtney Lee is expected to rejoin the starting lineup and start alongside Avery Bradley, Jeff Green, Brandon Bass and Chris Wilcox.

Celtics center Kevin Garnett remains out due to left ankle inflammation.

This is the second game that Pierce has missed this season, also sitting out a game in Charlotte last month.