After missing the last 11 games due to a right foot contusion, Boston Celtics big man and fan favorite Aron Baynes may see a return to the court for Sunday afternoon's game against the Houston Rockets:

Baynes has missed time this season after undergoing surgery in December to repair a fourth metacarpal fracture in his finger.

The 32-year-old provides toughness and rebounding off of Boston's bench, both of which the team lacks desperately at this juncture. Even in their win over the Washington Wizards on Friday, the Celtics were outrebounded 53-46. Boston is 18th in the league in rebounds per game, according to NBA.com.

Baynes has posted per-36 minute averages 13.7 points and 10.4 boards, providing a vital frontcourt presence alongside Al Horford. Having played in just 34 games this season, Baynes is anxious to get back on the court. He told Tom Westerholm of MassLive.com:

“Yeah, I want to keep playing of course I want to keep playing that’s what we do, we play competitively,” Baynes said. “I haven’t played competitively in over a month — well, actually exactly in a month. They gave me a bit of a green light but they cut it a bit short in my opinion, although it’s the best thing for me in the long run. But at the time, I don’t want to hear that.”

Baynes' return to the rotation is crucial for a Boston team that remains at the No. 5 spot in the Eastern Conference, but is still just 2.5 games back of the Indiana Pacers for the third seed.