Redd close to being part of action with Bucks

he countdown is getting shorter for Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Redd.

If he can get a full-contact practice early next week, Redd could be cleared to return against Sacramento on Wednesday or possibly later in the week. The Bucks play at New York on March 25 and return home to meet the Chicago Bulls on March 26.

One of those dates appears to be a Redd-alert for the 31-year-old guard to be back in a Bucks uniform.

It will be the first time he has performed in an NBA game since he tore ligaments in his left knee on Jan. 10, 2010, against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center.

Redd also missed the last 35 games of the 2008-'09 season after suffering torn anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in the same knee.

Redd has persevered through nearly two years of rehabilitation to get to this point.

"Rehab is brutal; it's grueling," Redd said. "I love to train, though. I wanted to see my body transform. In order for that to happen, I had to go through a rigorous rehab session every day.

"It was tedious, over 180 visits to therapy. But my body feels great, and I'm glad I went through it."

Redd has taken encouragement from other NBA players who have suffered serious injuries and returned to play at a high level, including the Phoenix Suns' Grant Hill.

"The individual person has to love the game and work through injury and not get frustrated with it," Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers said about Redd's comeback.

"There was nothing Michael could do, nothing Grant Hill could do. It's bum luck. The fact Michael still wants to play . . . ACL injuries, I've had one. It's all you need. You don't need more than one in your lifetime.

"The rehab is far tougher than the injury. The fact he's hanging around and still wants to do this tells you he loves the game."