Boston Celtics will have to make the final push in the regular season without their guard Marcus Smart. The team announced that the 24-year-old underwent a surgery to repair torn ligaments in his right thumb. This will keep Smart sidelined for six to eight weeks. The Celtics are hoping for the most optimistic outcome, meaning that he recovers in time for Eastern Conference Playoffs.
Marcus Smart injured his thumb in the first half of Sunday’s 97-99 loss to Indiana Pacers. The injury was initially regarded as a sprain, and Smart returned to court and finished the game. On Monday, however, additional tests showed that the injury is more serious and Smart opted for a surgery.
This is the second time this season he has been out with an injury. He missed 11 games before the All-Star break, after cutting his hand in a hotel in Los Angeles. According to Smart, this pause made him appreciate playing basketball even more.
“I love this game. I love to play,” – said Smart at the time. “So when that kinda gets taken away from you, temporarily or permanently, you kinda start realizing how much you do miss this game and how much it is easy to take it for granted when you can’t do that.“
Boston Celtics drafted Marcus Smart with the sixth overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. He played a solid rookie season while being selected in the NBA’s All-Rookie Second Team. During his time with the Celtics, Smart became an important role player for the team and a big part of their system. In this season he has been averaging 10.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.
