BOSTON -- Jeff Green, recuperating from surgery to repair an aortic aneurysm in January, dropped into the Celtics' locker room before Sunday's game and plans to sit near the team bench during a matinee with the New York Knicks at TD Garden.

Green politely declined interview requests from the media, but said hello to his teammates before hanging a suit in the locker of Avery Bradley. Although he's now an unrestricted free agent while he recovers with the goal of returning to action next season, Celtics coach Doc Rivers has stressed that he wants Green to be a part of this team.

"It’s always good to see him," Rivers said. "He's doing great, looks great. He’s going to sit on the bench tonight -- he’s not going to play -- but it’s just good to see him. Hell, what he’s gone through has been a good thing for us, each time he comes around."

Rivers offered some encouraging news on Green's recovery from surgery at the Cleveland Clinic.

"He’s been [in the Boston area] the last two weeks, he’s been going to the doctor every two days," Rivers said. "He can ride a bike now and stuff. It’s a miracle, really, in a lot of ways. It’s pretty cool."

In what seems like far less pressing health news, Ray Allen is back in the starting lineup after battling a stomach bug that forced him to miss Friday's win over the New Jersey Nets. Allen became ill after Wednesday's win over the Milwaukee Bucks and spent much of Thursday getting treated at New England Baptist Hospital. He joked that doctors told him the Norovirus is making the rounds and Allen said his children had previously battled a bout with the bug.

Also, as expected, second-year guard Avery Bradley is available despite rolling his ankle in Friday's win. Rivers initially dubbed him doubtful after keeping him out of the team's walkthrough on Saturday, but Bradley soon after deemed himself ready to go.