Marcus Smart is close to returning from a left toe injury, but the Boston Celtics have no intentions of pushing things this early in the season.
Smart participated in parts of Boston’s practice Monday but was downgraded to doubtful for Tuesday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Head coach Brad Stevens said Tuesday he hopes his point guard is ready for Wednesday’s contest against the Indiana Pacers at TD Garden.
“It’s extremely tough,” Smart said after Monday’s practice, via ESPN.com. “I’m a competitor and everybody out here wants to play and when that shot is taken away from you, you definitely feel a certain type of way about it. But, you know, it’s part of the game, injuries, so you’ve just got to let these guys do their job and try to help you get better.”
Smart said he’s not quite sure what caused the injury — diagnosed as a left big toe sprain — only that he first felt it pop up at practice last Tuesday. He has missed Boston’s last two games.
“It’s still kind of up in the air — mystery, don’t really know,” Smart added. “It just kind of came. Flew into Indiana (last Tuesday) and woke up from a nap and asked for treatment because my toe was feeling really sore. So it’s a mystery for everybody.”
On a positive note, swingman Jae Crowder expects to play Tuesday after leaving Friday’s game with a painful-looking knee injury.
“I practiced well (Monday). … I shot (Monday) night,” Crowder said Tuesday, via Celtics.com. “I feel great. It’s still sore. I’m going to protect it (Tuesday night).”
Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images
