Smart (foot) will not be available for Tuesday's Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against Miami.
Roughly 90 minutes before tip-off, the Celtics issued an updated injury report indicating that Smart will not be available, while Al Horford will also sit out after entering COVID-19 protocols. Smart was listed as questionable coming into the day due to a sprained right foot, which he appeared to sustain during Sunday's Game 7 win over Milwaukee. With Smart sidelined for at least one contest, expect Derrick White and Payton Pritchard to each pick up increased minutes.
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Celtics' Marcus Smart: Questionable with foot sprain
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Smart is considered questionable for Tuesday's Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against Miami due to a sprained foot, Jay King of The Athletic reports.
Smart was banged up throughout the Celtics' Round 2 series against Milwaukee, and he appeared to tweak his foot during Sunday's Game 7. However, he remained in the game and finished with 11 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds, one steal and one block in 37 minutes. Coach Ime Udoka said Monday that Smart's foot is "pretty tender and sore," so the team will wait to see how he feels Tuesday morning before issuing an update.
Celtics' Marcus Smart: Drops team-high seven assists
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Smart posted 21 points (8-16 FG, 5-9 3Pt), five rebounds and seven assists in 40 minutes during Friday's 108-95 victory over the Bucks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Smart found his stroke from deep en route to his first 20-plus point performance of the second round. The point guard also dished out a team-high seven assists, marking his third outing of at least 20 points and six dimes during the playoffs. Smart faltered at the end of Game 5, but he bounced back in a big way during Game 6. His play in Game 7 will likely play a major role in determining who advances to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Smart totaled 15 points (6-11 FG, 3-5 3Pt), four rebounds, two steals, one assist and one block across 38 minutes during Wednesday's 110-107 loss to the Bucks in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals round.
The Defensive Player of the Year was bested by Jrue Holiday down the stretch in Game 5, with Holiday swatting and stripping Smart on back-to-back possessions to seal the game for Milwaukee. On the offensive end, Smart remained productive as a scorer, but his assist total was disappointing.
Smart ended with 18 points (8-13 FG, 2-3 3Pt), two rebounds, eight assists and two blocks in 41 minutes during Monday's 116-108 victory over the Bucks.
After missing Game 2 and combining to shoot 4-for-19 across Games 1 and 3, Smart broke out on Monday. Aggressive from the tip in attacking the basket, Smart refrained from settling for threes as the Celtics have done throughout the series. While the majority of his energy remains committed to anchoring Boston's defense against Giannis Antetokounmpo, Smart will look to carry his momentum into Game 5 on Wednesday.
Celtics' Marcus Smart: Starting without limitations
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Smart (thigh) will start and not face any minute restrictions in Saturday's Game 3 versus the Bucks, Andrew Lopez of ESPN.com reports.
Smart was trending toward playing, so no surprise there, but his lack of a minutes limit indicates he is feeling relatively good. Barring any setbacks, look for him to take on his usual workload at point guard.
Smart (thigh) is probable for Saturday's Game 3 against the Bucks, Andrew Lopez of ESPN.com reports.
As expected, Smart will likely take the court following a one-game absence stemming from a bruised right thigh. He should re-join the starting five, which will presumably move Derrick White to the bench.
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Celtics' Marcus Smart: Optimistic for Game 3
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Smart (thigh) said there's a "strong" possibility he plays in Saturday's Game 3 at Milwaukee, Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald reports.
Smart was kept out of Game 2 with a significant thigh bruise, but the time off seems to have done him good, and it seems likely he'll return to the lineup this weekend. An official status update will presumably arrive Friday.
Smart (thigh) has been ruled out for Tuesday's Game 2 against the Bucks, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Smart suffered a shoulder and thigh injury during Sunday's Game 1 loss, which he finished with 10 points, six assists and one rebound in 33 minutes. Celtics head coach Ime Udoka said Monday that Smart's shoulder is "fine," but the guard is still bothered by the thigh issue, which Udoka described as a "pretty bad" bruise. In his absence, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard are both candidates for increased roles, but Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will have to play like superstars if Boston wants to avoid an 0-2 hole.
Celtics' Marcus Smart: Listed questionable for Game 2
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Smart (quad) is considered questionable for Tuesday's Game 2 against the Bucks, Jay King of The Athletic reports.
Smart was banged up with a couple of different injuries during Sunday's Game 1, which he finished with just 10 points, one rebound and six assists in 33 minutes. While coach Ime Udoka said Smart's shoulder is "fine," the guard is still bothered by what Udoka described as a "pretty bad" quad bruise. Given Smart's track record, he'll likely push through the injury, but it's possible he could be a bit limited as the Celtics look to avoid falling into an 0-2 hole.
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Celtics' Marcus Smart: Meager output in loss
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Smart closed with 10 points (3-11 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 3-4 FT), one rebound, six assists and two steals in 33 minutes during Sunday's 101-89 loss to the Bucks.
Smart suffered an injury scare at the end of the first half, but he avoided a significant issue and was able to return for the second half. However, he struggled on both ends of the floor and was clearly laboring throughout the contest. Keep an eye out for the injury report ahead of Game 2, as it's possible the shoulder/quad injury he sustained during Game 1 will continue to be an issue throughout the series.
