BOSTON (AP) — Celtics forward Paul Pierce could miss Boston’s game against the New York Knicks because of a sore right thumb, a hiatus that could help him heal in time for this week’s matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

“It’s pretty banged up right now,” Pierce said Monday night before the Boston premiere of the HBO documentary, “Magic and Bird, A Courtship of Rivals.”

“We’re talking about taking a few days off to get it back,” Pierce said. “It’s definitely something that’s been affecting me the last few days. If it feels how it feels right now, I probably won’t” play against the Knicks on Tuesday night.

Pierce injured the thumb Thursday against the Los Angeles Lakers, and on Friday and Sunday against Portland and Denver he went a combined 5 for 19 from the floor. The Celtics have a day off between the Knicks and Cavaliers, so Pierce would have three full days to rest before LeBron James comes to town.

The Celtics invited a few hundred fans to the Boston Garden on Monday night for a showing of the movie that chronicled the rivalry between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. A giant video screen was hung across one of the foul lines, and the Celtics’ championship banners from the Bird era were lowered just above it.

Also at the movie were new Celtics Nate Robinson and Marcus Landry, who were acquired at the trading deadline. Robinson and Landry got a welcoming round of applause when they were introduced, and Pierce addressed the crowd briefly before the movie.

Ross Greenburg, the president of HBO sports, set the mood when he asked the fans for a “Beat L.A!” chant.