BOSTON, United States - Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce, whose injured left elbow kept him from playing for the United States at the World Basketball Championships, underwent arthroscopic surgery.

Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce, pictured April 2006, whose injured left elbow kept him from playing for the United States at the World Basketball Championships, underwent arthroscopic surgery.[AFP]

The operation is expected to allow the five-time All-Star to return for the start of National Basketball Association training camp for the Celtics, who in July signed Pierce to a three-year contract extension worth 60 million dollars.

Pierce, 28, will make 15.1 million dollars for the upcoming season and 16.3 million dollars in 2007-08 on a deal that runs into 2011.

Pierce averaged 26.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 79 games last season. In his eight-season career spent totally with Boston, he has averaged more than 23 points, six rebounds and five assists a game.