CHICAGO — At a time when any bit of good news is devoured and any roster transformation is welcomed, the Celtics embraced the return of Avery Bradley to practice Monday at the United Center, offering hope that their best defender is close to making his season debut.

Bradley, the third-year guard, has not played since Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals May 18, when the pain from two partially dislocated shoulders was too much to bear. He had surgery on his left shoulder in May and the right shoulder in July.