Celtics' Marcus Smart: Back-to-back 20-point games
Rotowire
Smart closed with 21 points (7-15 FG, 4-11 3Pt, 3-4 FT), four rebounds and one assist in 42 minutes during Saturday's 104-103 victory over the Heat in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
After averaging just 9.8 points over the first four games of the series, Smart has picked up his scoring in Games 5 and 6, though at the detriment of his assist numbers. The point guard is extremely versatile, but it appears he's going to have to continue scoring in bunches, as Miami figures to focus its attention on Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown during Game 7. Across the first six matchups of the Eastern Conference Finals, Smart has averaged 13.8 points, 5.2 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 34.0 minutes per game.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Marcus Smart: Outsmarts Heat in victory
Rotowire
Smart closed with 23 points (7-12 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 5-6 FT), three rebounds, two assists and five steals across 30 minutes during Thursday's 110-97 win over the Heat in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Smart stepped things up in the win, putting together easily his best game of the series. With Malcolm Brogdon (elbow) playing limited minutes, both Smart and Derrick White flipped the switch, helping Boston to a comfortable victory. Brogdon's injury is something that figures to linger for quite some time, meaning Smart is going to have to keep his foot on the gas should the Celtics hope to advance to the NBA Finals for a second straight season.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Marcus Smart: Top distributor in double-double
Rotowire
Smart produced 13 points (3-7 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 5-8 FT), one rebound, 11 assists, one block and two steals over 34 minutes during Wednesday's 123-116 loss to Miami in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Smart dished out a game-high assist total while finishing as the lone player in Wednesday's Game 1 with a double-double. Smart, who tallied 10 of his 11 assists in the first half, surpassed the double-digit assist total for the first time this postseason while now reaching double figures in scoring in 13 of 14 playoff games.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Marcus Smart: Scores inefficient 14 points
Rotowire
Smart produced 14 points (2-7 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 8-10 FT), three rebounds and four assists in 34 minutes during Tuesday's 115-103 loss to the 76ers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Smart struggled from the field, but the entire Boston offense had a rough outing in Game 5. The point guard was one of three Celtics to record double-digit points, with the others being Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Smart has scored in double figures in every game of the series against the 76ers, but he's cleared the 15-point mark just once. He's still averaging 16.1 points per game in the playoffs, which is an upgrade over the 11.5 points per contest he delivered during the regular season.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Marcus Smart: Top distributor in Game 4 defeat
Rotowire
Smart notched 21 points (6-15 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 5-5 FT), three rebounds and seven assists over 42 minutes during Sunday's 116-115 overtime loss to Philadelphia in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Smart led all Celtics in assists while surpassing the 20-point mark and leading all starters in threes made during Sunday's overtime loss. Smart nearly won the game for Boston in overtime, hitting a late three that ended up being after the buzzer. The series is now evened at 2-2.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Marcus Smart: Will play Sunday
Rotowire
Smart (ankle) is available for Sunday's Game 4 versus Philadelphia, Keith Smith of Spotrac.com reports.
Smart is dealing with numerous injuries, most recently a left ankle sprain, but he'll suit up again Sunday. The point guard has yet to miss a postseason game thus far, averaging 15.8 points, 4.9 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 31.2 minutes across nine appearances.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Marcus Smart: Iffy for Game 4
Rotowire
Smart is questionable for Sunday's Game 4 versus Philadelphia due to a sprained left ankle, Keith Smith of Spotrac.com reports.
Smart has taken a beating so far in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, having dealt with a chest contusion, a right shoulder stinger, a lip laceration and now a sprained left ankle in the series. However, the guard has managed to suit up for each of the first three games against the 76ers, averaging 32.3 minutes per contest. If he's unable to go Sunday, expect Malcolm Brogdon and Derrick White to handle more point guard duties, while Payton Pritchard could crack the rotation.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Marcus Smart: Decent overall showing in win
Rotowire
Smart, who shook off a shoulder stinger and lip laceration, finished with 15 points (7-14 FG, 1-4 3Pt), five rebounds, two assists and one block over 27 minutes during Wednesday's 121-87 victory over the 76ers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Smart was one of the best players for Boston and continues to be an asset on both ends of the court. Even though he's not expected to lead the offense on any given night, the fact that he's scored at least 15 points in four of his eight playoff contests to date suggests he can be productive when given a chance, as he complements those scoring figures with decent figures in other categories as well. He's averaging 15.9 points, 5.0 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Marcus Smart: Will return Wednesday
Rotowire
Smart is available to return to Wednesday's game versus the 76ers despite a right shoulder stinger and lip laceration.
Smart briefly left Wednesday's game after Joel Embiid fell on him with 7:22 left in the third quarter. Smart had tallied 15 points, five rebounds, one assist and one block in 23 minutes before his exit and should be able to finish the contest.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Marcus Smart: Officially available
Rotowire
Smart (chest) has officially been upgraded to available for Wednesday's Game 2 versus Philadelphia.
As expected, Smart has been upgraded from questionable to available and will suit up despite a chest contusion he suffered in Game 1. The point guard finished Monday's loss with 12 points (4-7 FG), seven assists and three rebounds in 35 minutes, but he committed a season-high six turnovers.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Marcus Smart: Expected to play in Game 2
Rotowire
Smart (chest) is expected to play in Wednesday's Game 2 versus Philadelphia, Jay King of The Athletic reports.
Smart was listed as questionable due to a chest contusion he suffered in Game 1, but it sounds like, barring a setback, he'll be good to go for Game 2. The point guard finished Monday's loss with 12 points (4-7 FG), seven assists and three rebounds in 35 minutes, but he did commit a season-high six turnovers.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Marcus Smart: Questionable for Game 2
Rotowire
Smart is questionable for Wednesday's Game 2 against the 76ers due to a chest contusion, Marc D'Amico of the Celtics' official site reports.
Smart briefly went to the locker room in Game 1 due to a rib issue, but he returned to the contest and finished with 12 points (4-7 FG) and seven assists in 35 minutes. His availability for Game 2 is now in question, and if he's forced to sit out, Derrick White, Malcolm Brogdon and Payton Pritchard would all be candidates for increased opportunities.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Marcus Smart: Scores 19 despite back injury
Rotowire
Smart (back) provided 19 points (8-14 FG, 3-8 3Pt), four rebounds and four assists in 29 minutes during Sunday's 129-121 victory over the Hawks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.
Smart was cleared to suit up after initially being listed as questionable with a lower back contusion. The veteran point guard didn't appear to be limited at all as he finished third on the team in scoring behind Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown while playing 29 minutes. Through the first four matchups of the opening-round series, Smart has averaged 17.0 points, 6.3 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 2.3 steals in 31.5 minutes per game.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Marcus Smart: Will play Sunday
Rotowire
Smart (back) will play in Sunday's Game 4 against Atlanta, Souichi Terada of The Springfield Republican reports.
Smart has been upgraded from questionable to available and will suit up despite a lower back contusion he suffered during Game 3. Through the first three matchups of the opening-round series, the veteran point guard has averaged 16.3 points, 7.0 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 3.0 steals in 32.3 minutes per game.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Marcus Smart: Participates in shootaround
Rotowire
Smart (back) participated in Boston's morning shootaround ahead of Sunday's Game 4 against the Hawks, Bobby Manning of Boston Sports Journal reports.
Smart is officially listed as questionable due to a lower back contusion that he suffered in Game 3, but it sounds like he's trending in the right direction. His official status likely won't be known until closer to the 7:00 p.m. ET tipoff, but if Smart is sidelined, Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser would be candidates for increased roles off the bench.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Marcus Smart: Picks up questionable tag
Rotowire
Smart is questionable for Game 4 against the Hawks on Sunday due to a lower back contusion, Tim Bontemps of ESPN.com reports.
Smart picked up his injury in Game 3, which could result in him missing Sunday's contest. He is averaging 16.3 points, 7.0 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 3.0 steals in 32.3 minutes across the first three games of the series. If he's unable to suit up, Derrick White, Malcolm Brogdon and Sam Hauser will likely receive increased opportunities.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Marcus Smart: Status uncertain Sunday
Rotowire
Smart said Saturday that he is feeling some tailbone soreness and is not sure if he'll play in Game 4 against the Hawks on Sunday, Jay King of The Athletic reports.
Smart fell on his tailbone in the third quarter of Game 3 while trying to secure a rebound. While he was briefly substituted for, he finished the game and tallied 24 points, eight assists, three rebounds and three steals in 33 minutes. If he's unable to suit up Sunday, Malcolm Brogdon would likely see increased playing time.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Marcus Smart: Set to return for Game 1
Rotowire
Smart (neck) isn't on the injury report for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round against Atlanta on Saturday.
Smart sat out the final three games of the regular season due to neck spasms, but he'll be back in action for the start of the playoffs. He's scored in double figures in seven of his last eight appearances, averaging 13.3 points, 5.1 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.9 steals in 29.8 minutes per game during that span.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Marcus Smart: Ruled out Sunday
Rotowire
Smart (neck) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Hawks, John Karalis of BostonSportsJournal.com reports.
With the Celtics locked into the No. 2 seed, Smart, along with the majority of Boston's regulars, will take a seat for the regular-season finale. In their absences, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, Mike Muscala and Blake Griffin will start versus Atlanta.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Marcus Smart: Status uncertain Sunday
Rotowire
Smart (neck) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Hawks, Keith Smith of Spotrac.com reports.
Smart has missed a pair of games with neck spasms and is at risk of missing a third. Considering the Celtics are locked into the two seed, it wouldn't be surprising for Smart to sit the regular-season finale. Fantasy managers should check back in closer to tipoff to get a better idea of what the Celtics' rotation will look like.
