Johnson can play once he’s ready

Once Joe Johnson says he’s ready to play again, the Phoenix Suns will happily welcome him back.

Doctors told Johnson on Friday that the surgically repaired area around his left eye has healed enough that he can return to the court, so the only obstacle left is him getting comfortable with the protective mask he’ll have to wear.

Johnson began getting ready Friday in Phoenix, while his teammates were in Dallas for Game 6 of their second-round series against the Mavericks.

He’ll give an update to coach Mike D’Antoni today, when the Suns return to prepare for Sunday’s opener of the Western Conference finals in Phoenix against the San Antonio Spurs.

“Hopefully he’s shooting today and I’ll have a better sense when I talk to him tomorrow,” D’Antoni said.

D’Antoni said the stakes of the next game would not be a factor in the decision. He said he won’t urge caution for the series opener.

He also said he won’t watch Johnson play to decide if he thinks his starting shooting guard is ready. He’ll take Johnson’s word for it.

“Even if he’s dragging his foot, he’s playing,” D’Antoni said, laughing. “If he tells me he’s playing, he’s playing. … I know Joe will want to be out there as soon as he can, but he doesn’t want to hurt the team. He’s got to get used to the mask.”

Celtics extend Ainge’s contract

Celtics basketball operations director Danny Ainge received a three-year contract extension following a season in which Boston won its first division title in 13 years.

Ainge’s contract had been scheduled to expire after next season, but the extension will keep him with the team through the 2008-09 season, Celtics spokesman Jeff Twiss said.

Financial terms of the deal were not released.