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Report Indicates When Marcus Smart Will Return To Celtics

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LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Boston Celtics Guard Marcus Smart (36) during a NBA game between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Clippers on November 20, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire)

The Celtics clearly missed the presence of Marcus Smart and Al Horford during their Game One loss in Miami on Tuesday night. But luckily for them, one of their role players would be returning shortly.

On Wednesday morning, Yahoo’s Chris Haynes reported that Smart was ‘aiming’ for a return for Game 2 on Thursday night.

Per the report:

“Smart is aiming for a return in Game 2, sources said, but it is dependent on how his foot responds to treatment over the next 36 hours. With Boston missing two starters who do the bulk of the dirty work, the Heat feasted.”

After the game, coach Ime Udoka indicated that the Celtics could benefit from Marcus Smart’s physicality in the coming games.

“We got out-toughed, out-physical,” Celtics coach Ime Udoka said. “They came out in the second half and wanted to up their physicality and aggression on both ends and they did that.”

Jaylen Brown also mentioned how hard it was to be without Horford and Smart.

“Obviously, we weren’t prepared to be without Al,” guard Jaylen Brown said after the game. “We definitely wasn’t prepared to be without Al and Smart. So, it’s not an excuse. We got to be better.”

The Celtics likely won’t have Al Horford back for (at least) a couple more games after he entered health and safety protocols, but they’re hoping Marcus Smart gives them a jolt for Game 2.


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