01:00 AM EST on Thursday, February 9, 2006

BY SHALISE MANZA YOUNG
Journal Sports Writer

Clearly, things will get worse before they get better for the Boston Celtics.

Yesterday, 21-year-old center Kendrick Perkins dislocated his left shoulder on the very last play of practice at the Sports Authority Center in Waltham, Mass.

The injury apparently occurred when Perkins collided with Brian Scalabrine; TV cameras were on hand for the incident, as they are allowed in to get video for the final 10 to 15 minutes of practice.

When it happened, team trainer "Eddie (Lacerte) looked at [the shoulder] and put an ice bag on it," said Jeff Twiss, the team's media relations director. "It's frustrating."

The team seemed optimistic that the injury wouldn't keep Perkins out of the lineup for very long.

"It's not that bad," executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge said on his weekly appearance on WEEI's Big Show. "We're hoping to get him back after the All-Star break." The exhibition will be held Feb. 19.

Apparently, however, there were different takes on the situation; after practice, Celtics coach Doc Rivers said his guess was Perkins "(will) be back and play Friday but I don't know. You never know how bad those things are. I think it came out [of the socket]."

That may be wishful thinking on Rivers' part -- he's played the last two-plus games without the team's other 21-year-old big man, Al Jefferson. Jefferson sprained his ankle coming down with a rebound Friday night against the Clippers. Plus, Rivers would be the first to admit that despite his medical nickname, he doesn't have a clue when it comes to injuries.

Perkins had x-rays yesterday, and an MRI in the evening. He was slated to meet with team physician Brian McKeon today. McKeon will decide how long Perkins will be out.

As for Jefferson, his return is still up in the air.

He was at the practice facility yesterday to get treatment for his second ankle sprain of this season. His right ankle was heavily bandaged as he took in practice from the sidelines. Initially, the estimation was that he would also be back after the All-Star break.

Boston is struggling through a six-game losing streak, and is only 1-6 since the Jan. 26 trade with Minnesota, which brought Wally Szczerbiak and Michael Olowokandi to Boston, in exchange for swingman Ricky Davis, Mark Blount, Justin Reed and Marcus Banks.

Perkins' injury, added to Jefferson's, probably means Olowokandi will get more minutes until their return. Despite his history of not being a good rebounder for his size -- at 7-feet, he has averaged 7.2 rebounds a game over his career, and just 5.4 a night over the last two-plus seasons -- he is the best interior option for the Celts right now. Raef LaFrentz is better as a weak-side rebounder.

Also yesterday, the team recalled center Dwayne Jones from the Florida Flame of the NBA Development League. Jones is pulling down 11.7 boards a game for the Flame.

Boston had acquired Jones from the Timberwolves in the Jan. 26 deal. The 6-foot-11 250-pounder was fifth in the nation in rebounding and blocks per game for St. Joseph in 2004-05.

Jones was a college teammate of Celtics point guard Delonte West.

The Celtics host Portland tomorrow.

smanza@projo.com / (401) 277-7340