Celtics' Marcus Smart: Uncertain to play before break
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Smart (ankle) said Tuesday that he's without a clear timeline to return to game action and acknowledged the possibility that he could remain out through the All-Star break, Jay King of The Athletic reports.
Back on Jan. 24, Smart said he was hopeful to return from the sprained right ankle in 1-to-2 weeks, but just seven days later, the reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year spoke less optimistically about his health. Given that he has yet to resume any on-court work, Smart no longer appears poised to return within the two-week estimate he initially provided, and unless he's able to show tangible improvement in his recovery over the next handful of days, the Celtics could choose to err on the side of caution and keep him sidelined through the mid-February break. Smart's ongoing absence should continue to open up a few extra minutes each for Derrick White, Malcolm Brogdon and Grant Williams.
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Celtics' Marcus Smart: Hopes to return in 1-to-2 weeks
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Smart (ankle) said Tuesday that he hopes to return in 1-to-2 weeks, Souichi Terada of The Springfield Republican reports.
With an NBA-best 35-13 record heading into Tuesday's matchup with the Heat, the Celtics have no reason to rush Smart back from the sprained right ankle, which the point guard said is an aggravation of the injury he suffered in last year's playoffs. Smart is averaging a career-high 7.2 assists per game, and his versatility on the defensive end won't be easy to replace, either. Still, the Celtics have many options at guard to step in and give it a shot. More minutes should be available for Malcolm Brogdon (personal), Derrick White and Payton Pritchard.
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Celtics' Marcus Smart: Will remain out Tuesday
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Smart (ankle) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game in Miami, Jared Weiss of The Athletic reports.
Smart will miss both halves of the Celtics' current back-to-back set due to a right ankle sprain. His initial X-rays returned negative, which suggests the injury isn't too severe, but it's still unclear when he'll be able to return. Smart's next chance to suit up will come Thursday against the Knicks. Malcolm Brogdon (personal) also remains out, so Derrick White and Payton Pritchard are candidates for increased roles again.
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Celtics' Marcus Smart: Won't play Monday
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Smart is listed as out for Monday's game against the Magic with a right ankle sprain, Jay King of The Athletic reports.
Smart will miss at least one contest due to the ankle injury he sustained in Saturday's win over the Raptors, even though his initial X-rays returned negative. The Celtics seem content to evaluate Smart's status on a game-by-game basis for the moment, so he can be viewed questionable, at best, for Tuesday's matchup in Miami. Malcolm Brogdon (personal) is also out Monday, likely leaving Derrick White and Payton Pritchard in line to cover all of the minutes at point guard.
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Celtics' Marcus Smart: X-rays negative, day-to-day
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Smart's (ankle) X-rays returned negative, and he's deemed day-to-day ahead of Monday's game at Orlando, Souichi Terada of The Springfield Republican reports.
Smart had to be helped off the floor during Saturday's game against the Raptors after spraining his ankle while coming around a screen. It's encouraging that his X-rays returned negative, but the fact he needed X-rays in the first place suggests he's in significant pain. Fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if the guard misses extended time.
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Celtics' Marcus Smart: Won't return Saturday
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Smart (ankle) will not return to Saturday's game against the Raptors.
Smart had to be carried off the floor after suffering a sprained right ankle. Given how much pain he appeared to be in, it would be surprising if he played Monday against the Magic. For the duration of Smart's presumed absence, more minutes should be available for Derrick White, Malcolm Brogdon and Payton Pritchard.
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Celtics' Marcus Smart: Helped to locker room
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Smart turned his ankle during the second quarter of Saturday's game against the Raptors and had to be helped to the locker room, Jared Weiss of The Athletic reports.
Smart went down in a heap after twisting his ankle coming off a screen, and he appeared to be in severe pain. It would be shocking if he returned to Saturday's game. If Smart misses extended time, more minutes could be in store for Derrick White, Malcolm Brogdon and Payton Pritchard.
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Celtics' Marcus Smart: Second straight double-double
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Smart recorded 13 points (5-15 FG, 3-12 3Pt), two rebounds, 12 assists and two steals across 36 minutes during Saturday's 122-106 victory over Charlotte.
Smart continued right where he left off the previous game with inefficient shooting but also solid playmaking numbers. His 12 dimes Saturday night gave him his second double-double in as many games, and he recorded two steals for the second straight contest as well. In the month of January, the veteran guard is averaging 10.0 points (on 33.9 percent shooting), 7.3 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game.
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Celtics' Marcus Smart: Dishes team-high 10 assists
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Smart supplied 16 points (4-12 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 6-7 FT), six rebounds, 10 assists and two steals across 36 minutes during Thursday's 109-98 win over the Nets.
Smart knocked down only two of eight shot attempts for six points in the first half but added eight assists and five boards to help the Celtics jump out to a three-point lead at the break. The point guard chipped in another 10 points on 2-of-4 shooting in the second half along with two dimes, giving him a team-high 10 assists in the contest. It was Smart's seventh time this season with 10 or more assists, though he's scored in double figures in just two of his last five contests.
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Celtics' Marcus Smart: Not on Thursday's injury report
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Smart (knee) isn't on the injury report for Thursday's game against the Nets.
Smart missed the last two games due to a left knee contusion, but he'll be back in action for the second half of a back-to-back set Thursday. Over his last eight appearances, he's averaged 8.6 points, 6.9 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 30.9 minutes per game.
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Celtics' Marcus Smart: Ruled out
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Smart (knee) has been ruled out for Wednesday's matchup against the Pelicans, John Karalis of BostonSportsJournal.com reports.
Smart will miss a second straight game due to a left knee contusion. Wednesday's contest is the first half of a back-to-back set, but the point guard's availability for Thursday's game against the Nets remains unclear. Robert Williams (knee) is also out Wednesday, so Boston may roll out a starting lineup of Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Grant Williams and Al Horford.
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Celtics' Marcus Smart: Questionable for Wednesday
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Smart (knee) is questionable for Wednesday's matchup against the Pelicans, John Karalis of BostonSportsJournal.com reports.
Smart was sidelined for Monday's matchup against the Bulls due to a left knee contusion, marking his fifth absence of the season. He was initially listed as doubtful for the win over Chicago, so he's made a slight improvement now that he's questionable. However, his status for Wednesday is still very much in doubt, so fantasy managers are inclined to monitor the point guard's status closely before confirming lineups.
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Celtics' Marcus Smart: Officially unavailable Monday
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Smart (knee) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Bulls, Jared Weiss of The Athletic reports.
Smart was considered doubtful for Monday's matchup due to his left knee contusion, so his lack of availability isn't very surprising. Malcolm Brogdon and Payton Pritchard are candidates to see increased run against Chicago.
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Celtics' Marcus Smart: Doubtful for Monday's contest
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Smart (knee) is doubtful for Monday's matchup against the Bulls due to a left knee contusion, Keith Smith of Spotrac.com reports.
Smart limped to the locker room during the third quarter of Saturday's win over the Spurs and will likely be sidelined for at least one contest due to a knee injury. In his expected absence, Malcolm Brogdon, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard are candidates for increased roles.
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Celtics' Marcus Smart: Doubtful to return Saturday
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Smart limped to the locker room during the third quarter of Saturday's game against the Spurs after what appeared to be a knee-to-knee collision, Marc D'Amico of the Celtics' official site reports. He was diagnosed with a left knee bruise and is doubtful to return.
It appears Smart has avoided anything serious, but it wouldn't be surprising if he misses Monday's game against the Bulls. More information on the injury should emerge before then. If the point guard needs to sit out, more minutes could be in store for Payton Pritchard, Derrick White and Malcolm Brogdon.
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Celtics' Marcus Smart: Dismissed early from Monday's loss
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Smart finished Monday's 150-117 loss to the Thunder with seven points (3-6 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), eight assists, four rebounds and one block in 26 minutes before he was ejected in the third quarter after receiving his second technical foul of the night.
Given that the Celtics were trailing by 31 points entering the final quarter, Smart wasn't likely to see much additional playing time even if he hadn't been sent to the locker room early. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year and the Celtics will look to regroup from the blowout loss and get back on track Thursday in Dallas.
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Celtics' Marcus Smart: Hands out nine assists
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Smart finished Thursday's 116-110 victory over the Clippers with 17 points (7-15 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 1-2 FT), three rebounds, nine assists, one block and two steals over 37 minutes.
Smart didn't have his best shooting performance and needed 15 shots to score 17 points, but he still salvaged his fantasy day due to his nine assists. The veteran point guard has dished out six or more assists in seven consecutive games and is averaging 11.4 points per game with 7.0 dimes, 3.5 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game in December.
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Celtics' Marcus Smart: Not on injury report Thursday
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Updating a previous report, Smart is not on the injury report for Thursday's game against the Clippers.
It's head coach Joe Mazzulla who is questionable for Thursday's game after suffering corneal abrasions during a pickup game. Smart has recently recovered from a hip injury and an illness. He's failed to score in double digits in his past three appearances, but he's still averaging a solid 7.0 points, 8.0 assists, 3.7 rebounds, 2.3 steals and just 0.7 turnovers.
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Celtics' Marcus Smart: Questionable, doesn't practice
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Coach Joe Mazzulla said Smart wasn't at shootaround and is questionable for Thursday's game against the Rockets due to corneal abrasions in his eye, Jay King of The Athletic reports.
Smart suffered his injury in a recent pickup game. His absence from practice is a discouraging sign of his availability Thursday. If Smart is unable to suit up, Malcolm Brogdon and Payton Pritchard will likely see extended minutes.
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Celtics' Marcus Smart: Officially available against Bucks
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Smart (hip) is available for Sunday's Christmas Day matchup against Milwaukee.
Smart was probable ahead of Sunday's game, and he'll officially be able to play through his left hip inflammation once again. He logged six points (2-5 FG, 2-4 3Pt), 10 assists, seven rebounds and three steals in 38 minutes during Friday's win over Minnesota.
