When Will Marcus Smart Return For Celtics?
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Boston Celtics will have their first back-to-back of the season Tuesday and Wednesday night, and it doesn't sound like Marcus Smart will play in either contest.
The C's point guard has missed the last two games with a sprained ligament in his left big toe, and the player and team aren't going to take any chances with an early season injury. Though he participated in some of Monday's practice, his first action since the toe flared up last Tuesday, Smart has already been ruled out for Tuesday's game in Milwaukee.
He likely won't play Wednesday when Boston returns home to host the Pacers, but head coach Brad Stevens said Tuesday in Milwaukee he is hopeful that Smart will be available for that game.
If that's not the case, Smart will likely be back in action Friday night when the C's host the Atlanta Hawks.
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"Better safe than sorry," Smart told reporters on Monday. "Give it another day to rest and try to get better than what I am today."
Missing time is never easy, especially for a fierce competitor like Smart. But nobody wants to see a small ailment turn into a bigger issue, so they're going with the cautious approach.
"It's extremely tough," said Smart. "I am 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 started all three games he appeared in this season, averaging 12 points and 3.7 assists per contest. His absence has led to a starting job for Isaiah Thomas, who has averaged 21.5 points per game in his two starts.
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