BOSTON -- The biggest questions concerning the Celtics entering this season were: How strong is Kevin Garnett's surgically repaired right knee, and would it hold up for the entire season?

So far, things are going better than expected, Boston coach Doc Rivers said. Garnett, the Celtics' inspirational and defensive leader, is averaging 13.4 points and 7.8 rebounds per game after Wednesday night's 18-point, 4-rebound effort in Boston's 105-84 victory over the Utah Jazz.

"He's coming along great," Rivers said. "I think he's healthy and his knee is 100-percent healthy. It just takes time to get your timing back, your senses back and your instincts back. I think he's getting it. It's just a process just like it's a process for this team to get better. Kevin will keep getting better.

"The best news of the day is as well as he's playing right now, he'll be a far better player by the end of the year."

Garnett says his knee is strong and healthy.

"It just feels good to be healthy," Garnett said. "It feels good to sprint. It feels good to run. I feel like a little kid in a cornfield."

Rivers said that Garnett did not want Rivers to bring him along slowly, and that's why Garnett is averaging 30 minutes per game. Rivers said that there was no timetable for Garnett to return to the Garnett of old.

"I'm not concerned," Rivers said. "He's healthy and that's all I'm concerned with."

Hudson finding spot

Boston rookie guard Lester Hudson, who scored two points in six minutes in the fourth quarter, has learned quickly that the NBA is a lot tougher than the college game.

Hudson was a superstar at the University of Tennessee-Martin, where as a senior last year he became the only player in NCAA history to record a quadruple-double (25 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 steals, versus Central Baptist College). He finished the year ranked fifth nationally in points per game (25.7); fourth in steals (2.8) and 10th in 3-pointers made per game (3.8).

He also ranked in the top 90 nationally in rebounding (79th, 7.8 per game), assists (88th, 4.5 per game), 3-point percentage (72nd, 38.8) and free-throw percentage (67th, 83.4).

In the NBA, Hudson is still finding his place. He is averaging 2.3 points and 1.0 assist with the Celtics.

“It’s more fast-paced,” Hudson said of the NBA game, compared with college. “There are more people that are on your level. I’m trying to learn as much as I can. The Celtics are a great team with a great coaching staff. I’ve learned a lot.”

Hudson was a shooting guard in college, but he will be relied upon more to run a team in the NBA.

“I’m trying to improve on running a team on an NBA level and just get better day-by-day and week-by-week,” Hudson said. “That’s what I’m working on, and I’m working on my defense, too. [Rajon] Rondo is helping me out. He’s a great point guard.”

Hero honored

At every home game, the Celtics honor a Hero Among Us.

The award is given to an individual or group of individuals who made an overwhelming impact on the lives of others through their unique commitment and humanitarian spirit.

Wednesday night that hero was Chris Poncia, a member of the Rhode Island Air National Guard Security Forces. He earned both the Air Force Accommodation Medal and Achievement Medal during his tour of duty in 2003 in Iraq.

After serving in the war, he returned home and joined the Providence police force. This summer, Poncia was on patrol when he smelled smoke and heard screams. He rushed over to see a house engulfed in flames. Poncia ran inside, found two children trapped and got them out safely.

roblee@projo.com