Celtics starting point guard Marcus Smart has been ruled out of tonight’s critical Game 2 against the Bucks due to a right thigh contusion, the team has announced (Twitter link). Smart had previously been listed as questionable with the injury.
The 2022 Defensive Player of the Year had been grappling with the thigh injury ahead of Game 1 in Boston’s second-round matchup against Milwaukee. The injury worsened during the contest after Smart took contact in the region.
In Game 1 on Sunday, a 101-89 Bucks victory in Boston, Smart was limited to 10 points on 3-of-11 shooting from the floor. His Bucks counterpart Jrue Holiday, another excellent defender, scored 25 points on 8-of-20 field goal shooting.
With Smart sidelined, reserve guards Derrick White and Payton Pritchard seem primed for a minutes boost. White’s and Pritchard’s shooting in Game 1 was fairly inefficient in its own right. The duo combined to make just 4-of-14 shots from the field. A Bucks 2-0 series advantage heading into Milwaukee could prove close to insurmountable for Boston.
Boston head coach Ime Udoka revealed that White will start in Smart’s stead tonight, per Jared Weiss of The Athletic.
“Swelling, pain, restricted movement,” Udoka said of Smart’s symptoms. “I don’t think it’s long term. With three days off [prior to Game 3], we assume he’ll be okay.”
Owie
Top 5 best players in the playoffs – needs to be in second round.
2 on This series
Giannis
Tatum
Luka
Chris Paul
Embiid
Giannis and Tatum are in a class by themselves.
I don’t think Smart will be missed.
Why do
Yeah, I mean we all know Pritchard is better.
Derp.
You were right though, he wasn’t missed. What a beat down.
I wonder why Daniel Theis ant playing no minutes tonight , and only four minutes in game one.
Because he ain’t that good, right?
Theis was invaluable in beating the Nets.