One of the most instrumental pieces on a true Eastern Conference contender, it’s been a rollercoaster campaign for Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart this season. Smart was sidelined 2 weeks earlier on in the season when he injured his hand and was also brought up in trade rumors prior to this year’s deadline.
Unfortunately, the Oklahoma State product received more bad news regarding his current injury status. According to The Vertical’s Shams Charania, Smart has a torn tendon in his right thumb and will be sidelined indefinitely.
Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart has suffered a torn tendon in his right thumb, league sources tell Yahoo. He will have second opinions on his thumb and be out indefinitely.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 12, 2018
With Daniel Theis already ruled out for the season and of course Gordon Hayward, the Celtics are starting to fall victim to the injury bug. Losing rotational pieces such as Theis and now Marcus Smart is devastating, especially for a team that will likely need all hands on deck to come out of a competitive Eastern Conference.
As Charania detailed, Smart is out indefinitely making a possible return a huge question mark. It remains to be seen whether the ruptured tendon will require some form of surgery, but either way, it will likely still be a while before Smart makes a return.
Smart has provided key minutes to the Celtics off the bench this season and often sets the tone for the second unit. Boston will certainly miss the unrelenting attitude he brings to the hardwood on a nightly basis. Smart is averaging 10.2 points and 4.8 assists per game in 54 appearances for the Celtics this season. With starter Jaylen Brown also in the NBA’s concussion protocol, a lot of the offensive onus will now fall on the likes of Terry Rozier, Marcus Morris, and rookie Jayson Tatum.
