The Boston Celtics don’t expect Paul Pierce back any time soon.

Pierce was in so much pain from a right knee infection that the All-Star forward called team trainer Ed Lacerte on Wednesday around 3 a.m, coach Doc Rivers said. Lacerte went to Pierce’s house and took him to the hospital, where they drained fluid from Pierce’s knee.

Pierce didn’t make the flight to Orlando for the Christmas Day game against the Magic. He is expected to miss at least two weeks.

“What he’s going through is pretty significant,” Celtics guard Ray Allen said. “It is serious. Because me knowing Paul, he’s always practicing and he’s always playing, so for him not to be here, it must be very significant.”

The injury surprised the Celtics.

The 2008 NBA finals MVP had played in every game this season, leading the team with an average of 18.2 points.