After posting 13 points, nine rebounds, and six assists in Sunday night's All-Star game, Boston Celtics point guard Kyrie Irving spoke to members of the media about the status of his strained right knee. The former Duke standout missed six of Boston's 11 games before the break, but it sounds like he'll be ready to go once play resumes.

“It was good to get out there and play the game that I love,” Irving said. “I'm looking forward to next Thursday and getting back with the team. (The All-Star Game) is always fun. It's really special.”

Further into his interview, a reporter asked Irving if playing in the All-Star Game was a re-energizing experience.

“It had been too long since I had played the game,” Irving said. “I've shot a basketball twice in the last eight days.”

“I've been doing a lot of work every day just to play in (the All-Star Game),” Irving added. “It felt great. I missed it. I never want to take games off, but when it happens to do with my body… the investment I put into it, I'm just happy to be able to do it at a high level.”

“We understand that it's the All-Star Game,” Irving continued. “But to go up and down before Thursday comes… I'd be a lot worse if I didn't play in this game, then go out and play in Thursday's game.”

The fact that Irving is feeling good about his knee is certainly good news for Celtics fans, as he's one of the team's primary options on the offensive end of the floor. In 47 appearances this season (all starts), he's racked up averages of 23.6 points on 49.8 percent shooting from the field (40.0 percent from beyond the arc), 6.9 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.6 steals in 32.5 minutes per outing.

Assuming Irving doesn't have any set-backs in the coming days, he'll likely be available for Thursday's road game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Terry Rozier, who's been dealing with an illness, is also expected to be back in action.