BOSTON, Massachusetts – NBA veteran swingman Michael Finley signed with the Boston Celtics on Friday, hopeful of turning around his fortunes with the deal on the eve of his 37th birthday.

Finley was released by the San Antonio Spurs earlier this week after being relegated from the main playing rotation to a reserve role. He had asked for his release so that he might be able to join another club.

Finley, who played in only 25 games this season for the Spurs due to an early season sprain of his left ankle, will earn a pro-rated portion of US$1.1 million, the minimum annual NBA contract for a veteran.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers said Finley would join the team on Saturday at Boston and play on Sunday against Washington.

The Celtics, 38-21, lead Toronto by 7 games in the Atlantic division and have the fourth-best overall record in the Eastern Conference.

The Spurs, 34-24, are 7th in the Western Conference, 5 games behind pace-setting Dallas in the Southwest division.