The Celtics hosted the Magic on Sunday night in a game that was far more important for Orlando, who are looking to clinch a playoff berth, than Boston, who are guaranteed homecourt advantage in the first round and will be locked into the four-seed with a loss or a Philly win in their final two games.
However, the game suddenly became very important for the Celtics in the wrong way when Marcus Smart was forced to leave the game with an apparent hip or side injury after he limped down the court to get back on defense and, eventually, fell to the floor.
The Celtics initially announced Smart would be out for the game, calling it a “hip contusion,” but ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported it was something a bit more serious (and concerning, for Boston) as a strained oblique.
#NEBHInjuryReport Marcus Smart (left hip contusion) will not return tonight.
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 8, 2019
Strained oblique for Boston’s Marcus Smart, league source tells ESPN. They’ll see how it responds in next 24-48 hours.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 8, 2019
Brad Stevens after the game clarified it was a bruise on his side, not a strain, which would be good news.
Brad Stevens says that Marcus Smart has a “bruise” on side. “Better than a strain or whatever,” said Stevens. “We’ll see what that looks like. He’s really sore. But he was walking around which is good, in the locker room."
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) April 8, 2019
If it is indeed a strained oblique as Woj reports, that would be troublesome for Boston, who rely heavily on Smart, particularly on the defensive end. Strained obliques, like a groin, are tricky in that it comes down to how the muscle heals and there’s always the risk of aggravating the injury if you return before it is fully healthy.
With the playoffs starting in under a week, Smart won’t have a ton of time to rest, but one would expect them to shut him down until their playoff series begins. Hopefully for Boston it’s not a serious strain and he’ll be ready and healthy for a postseason series, because his impact on that team is immeasurable.
