BOSTON (AP) – Celtics point guard Gary Payton will be evaluated on a day-to-day basis after the results of an MRI on Monday showed no further damage to his ailing back, a team spokesman said Monday.

Payton, a 16-year NBA veteran, has experienced back problems late in his career, and has sat out some practices in the last two weeks. He complained of increased tightness in his lower back after Friday’s home game against the Chicago Bulls.

Payton will continue to have physical therapy on his back and will undergo a chiropractic evaluation.

, but it was uncertain on Monday whether he will be able to play in Wednesday’s home game against the Dallas Mavericks, team spokesman Jeff Twiss said.

The Celtics have lost three consecutive games but still held a 21/2-game lead over the Philadelphia 76ers atop the Atlantic Division prior to Monday night’s schedule.

AP-ES-03-28-05 1918EST