The Boston Celtics got more bad news on the injury front on Monday, as the team has been dealing with a variety of ailments to rotation players of late. During the Celtics’ loss to the Pacers on Sunday, Marcus Smart was added to that growing list as he sustained an injury to his right thumb, which Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports is reporting as a torn tendon that could keep him out of the lineup 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
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski had a slightly different report, tweeting that the Celtics were calling Smart’s injury a “sprain” and were still in the process of deciding whether he might be able to play through it.
Right thumb injury to Celtics guard Marcus Smart — for now, called a sprain — is under scrutiny with medical staff, league sources tell ESPN. Still unclear if Smart can play through it — or will need to miss time.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 12, 2018
The Celtics have been saddled with injuries of late. Kyrie Irving left Monday’s game with knee soreness and they will “tread slowly” with him to ensure he’s fully healthy when he comes back. Jaylen Brown recently went into the league’s concussion protocol after a scary fall following a dunk, and reserve center Daniel Theis suffered a season-ending knee injury against Indiana.
Smart is one of the team’s best defenders, and a lengthy absence could have a devastating effect on a team that’s eyeing a real run at the Eastern Conference crown. The Celtics currently hold the No. 2 seed in the conference by seven games over Indiana.
Smart missed time earlier in the year after lacerating his hand punching a picture frame in a hotel room. He’s averaging 10.2 points, 4.8 assists, and 3.5 rebounds for the Celtics so far this season.
