Marcus Smart in Danger of Missing Return to Boston

A left ankle injury cost Marcus Smart his first opportunity to play against the Celtics. Unfortunately, he may also be inactive for his return to TD Garden.

Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

"We are so close, and I promise to the entire Boston Celtic fan base that all we care about is bringing the 18th championship to the city of Boston."

That was Marcus Smart's message in an exclusive interview with Inside The Celtics on the heels of Boston losing Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals to the Miami Heat.

Less than a week later, the franchise's former floor general and the heart and soul of their team became a member of the Memphis Grizzlies in a three-team trade that brought Kristaps Porzingis to Boston.

Despite joining the franchise following an era defined by its modern big three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen, the Celtics made the playoffs in each of his nine years with them. That includes five trips to the Eastern Conference Finals and coming within two wins of lifting the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

According to Michael Pina from The Ringer, Smart's never had a season with a negative net rating, meaning every year of his career, Boston's outscored its opponent with him on the floor.

And while the Texas native has brought that same leadership and tenacity that helped make him the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year to Memphis, the start of his Grizzlies tenure hasn't gone as he hoped.

Injuries define his and the team's season so far. Star point guard Ja Morant missed the first 25 games of the campaign due to a suspension and recently suffered a season-ending labrum tear.

Smart missed slightly over a month due to a left ankle injury he sustained in November. That absence included being unable to suit up for his first chance to play against the Celtics, a game the latter held on to win 102-100 at FedExForum.

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Unfortunately, there's now uncertainty about his availability when he returns to Boston for the first time since his trade.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, he's dealing with a severe right ring finger injury. The expectation is that he will be out for approximately six weeks.

Smart's first trip back to TD Garden is on Feb. 4, meaning he has less than a month to heal enough to participate. While it may be easier for him to take in what will be one of the most emotional games he's been a part of from the sideline, it's a safe bet that between the meaning behind the matchup, the lengths he goes to for his teammates, and as a competitor, he'll do everything he can to be in the lineup.

Further Reading

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