Celtics fine, but don't suspend, contrite Davis

(NECN: Boston, Mass.) - Following an early morning fight with a childhood friend the day prior to the season opener, which left him sidelined for at least five weeks with a broken thumb, Celtics forward Glen "Big Baby" Davis will not face a suspension from the team. The announcement was made by Celtics President of Basketball Opertations Danny Ainge prior to the team's third game of the season Friday night against the Chicago Bulls. "We have decided as an organization not to suspend Glen," Ainge said. "We've levied a fine against him, and we want him around the team, we want him with the team on the road, we want him working out and conditioning with the team." The team's fine against Davis was for an undisclosed amount. Ainge said that Davis had apologized to his coaches, teammates and owners. Davis is wanted around the team as he works to keep in shape to make a seamless transition from the bench to the court once cleared to play, according to Ainge. "It's been tough, watching those guys and not being there and experiencing those experiences with them," Davis said. "I just want to move on and work hard to stay in shape to make sure I'm ready to play." When asked for his overall reaction to the incident, Davis said, "It was..." and paused to find the right words. Ainge jumped in to help him out. "Stupid," Ainge said, drawing laughs from the media in the room and a smile from Davis. "It was a stupid mistake, like Danny said, and something I learned from," Davis said. "I wish it had never happened -- I wish I could have learned without making this huge mistake." Davis averaged 15.8 points in 14 playoff games for the Celtics in his second NBA season, seeing an increased role in the stead of injured forward Kevin Garnett. He re-signed with Boston this season without signing an offer sheet with another team as a restricted free agent. Davis had surgery on his thumb Tuesday morning. <i>Despite all attempts, no adjustments could be made to better the quality of audio with this video clip.</i>