BOSTON (AP) – The Boston Celtics on Friday indefinitely suspended forward Vin Baker, who struggled with alcoholism last spring, for failing to comply with his aftercare program.

The suspension took effect Friday, before the Celtics’ game against the Washington Wizards.

It was the second time this season Baker had been suspended by the NBA franchise for failing to comply with his recovery program.

On Jan. 7, he was suspended for three games, returning to action Jan. 16.

The team said it was notified by a doctor jointly selected by Baker and the team to oversee his aftercare. It did not specify the nature of the violation.

“We were sorry to learn of Vin’s noncompliance,” team CEO and managing partner Wyc Grousbeck said. “As we have said throughout this process, we will continue to wish Vin the very best in his aftercare and will refrain from further comment.”

Baker, who got off to a strong start after seeking help for an alcohol problem last spring, had averages of 11.3 points per game and 5.7 rebounds per game when he was suspended.

A team spokesman declined to elaborate further on Baker’s suspension.

“All we’re saying is it’s for an indefinite period,” spokesman Michael Lissack said.

Lissack said Baker practiced with the team on Thursday, but he will no longer be able to practice during his suspension.

“When you’re suspended, you’re not practicing, you’re not at the games, so you’re not really with the team,” Lissack said.

The four-time All-Star joined the Celtics before last season in a trade with Seattle.

But he played poorly, and last February accepted a suspension from the Celtics and checked himself into rehab for alcoholism while his teammates were advancing to the second round of the NBA playoffs.

At the time, it was widely speculated that he might never play again for the Celtics; the only question was whether the team would make him sit at the end of the bench for three years to collect the $44 million left on his contract.

Instead, he lost weight, got in better shape and had an outstanding season opener in which he had 15 points against Miami. In the second game, he scored 24 against Memphis. The Celtics won both.

Baker, 32, an Old Saybrook, Conn. native who played college basketball at Hartford, started the first 33 games, but his performance declined. In his first 25 games, he scored in double figures 18 times. In the next 10, he reached that level three times.

He began this season with career averages of 15.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game but averaged 5.2 points and 3.8 rebounds in 52 games last season.

At the time of his first suspension, Celtics coach Jim O’Brien said he had seen a decline in Baker’s play and suspected that he may have faltered in his recovery.

AP-ES-01-23-04 1956EST