Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce (34) takes a shot against Washington Wizards guard Nick Young (1) during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012, in Washington. The Celtics won 100-94.

Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce (34) takes a shot against Washington Wizards guard Nick Young (1) during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012, in Washington. The Celtics won 100-94.

34 points. 10 assists. Eight rebounds.

It’s safe to say that Paul Pierce still has it.

The Boston Celtics star was thisclose to a triple-double on Sunday as he willed a short-handed Celtics squad to a 100-94 victory over the hometown Washington Wizards. He shouldered the load on a day when point guard Rajon Rondo sat out and shooting guard Ray Allen left with an injury. Pierce shot the ball well (10-15 FG, 2-5 3PFG, 12-15 FT) and had a sensational fourth quarter, where he scored 10 straight points in a four-minute span. Pierce played 36 minutes and also had three steals and five turnovers (full stats here).

Best of all for Boston/Pierce fans, The Truth looked back to his old self, setting season-highs in points, assists, steals and tying his season-high for rebounds. From ESPNBoston.com:

Pierce’s comfort level on the floor Sunday can’t be overstated. Sure, this performance came against a handful of players not known for their defense, but Pierce’s classic mid-range game, which has been all but absent this season, was back in full form, and he utilized it expertly to repeatedly sink the Wizards.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1AOaBwSW2o

Sunday summary

Milwaukee Bucks' Stephen Jackson (5) talks with Miami Heat's Mario Chalmers (15) after Chalmers was called for a flagrant foul during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012, in Miami. The Bucks defeated the Heat 91-82. At center is Milwaukee Bucks' Shaun Livingston (9).

• Things fell apart for Mario Chalmers (Miami Heat) on Sunday. Chalmers hit only 4 of 14 shots, coughed up six turnovers (after having zero the night before), injured his knee and committed a “cheap shot” flagrant foul in the final minute of a 91-82 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. He scored 12 points, with two rebounds and two assists, in 34 minutes (full stats here).

It wouldn’t be a Heat game without a highlight, though:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss7eL_F5A-g

• Drew Gooden (Milwaukee Bucks) had two points, three rebounds and two assists in 13 minutes as the Bucks beat the Miami Heat, 91-82 (full stats here).

Other Jayhawk pros

• Brady Morningstar (NBA D-League – Tulsa 66ers) was due for an off night. After four good-to-great games in a row, Morningstar couldn’t get his shot going on Sunday night and made just 4 of 12 attempts for 10 points. He added two rebounds, three steals, a block and three assists to three turnovers in 43 minutes — his second 40-minute stint in as many nights (full stats here).

• Keith Langford (Israeli Premier League – Maccabi Electra) scored just eight points with four assists and a rebound in 24 minutes on Saturday (full stats here). His team (16-1 in the Adriatic League) won its fifth league game in a row.

• Marcus Morris (Houston Rockets/Rio Grande Valley Vipers) told the Houston Chronicle that he could be 100-percent healed from an ankle injury by next week. Marcus sprained his ankle in a game with the D-League Vipers on Jan. 12. He has been rehabbing in Houston since then but said:

“(The Rockets) haven’t told me anything yet,” Morris said. “Hopefully I’ll stay here (in Houston). I feel like I’ve done my part down there. They might still want me to play because I was out.

Jayhawks in upcoming NBA games

Monday, Jan. 23

• 6:30 p.m., NBATV, Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics vs. the Orlando Magic

• 7 p.m., Kirk Hinrich (shoulder injury) and the Atlanta Hawks vs. Drew Gooden and the Milwaukee Bucks

• 7 p.m., Xavier Henry (ankle injury) and the New Orleans Hornets vs. the San Antonio Spurs

• 7 p.m., Nick Collison, Cole Aldrich and the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. the Detroit Pistons

• 7:30 p.m., Markieff Morris and the Phoenix Suns vs. the Dallas Mavericks

• 9:30 p.m., NBATV, Brandon Rush and the Golden State Warriors vs. Josh Selby and the Memphis Grizzlies