The Boston Celtics had an interesting rout to the playoffs this season, with some arguing that they are a better team without Kyrie Irving on the floor. Whether or not that is actually true, Irving is healthy enough to play, but they may be without another key factor for up to two rounds. That player is Marcus Smart, who exited Sunday night's 116-108 loss to the Orlando Magic at the TD Garden with an oblique injury. He has been diagnosed with a torn oblique, which could hold him out for the first two rounds of the postseason. Officially, he is listed as out for 4-6 weeks.
Both Smart and Jayson Tatum left that game with injuries, but only Smart will miss an extended period of time. Boston officially released a statement saying that Smart wouldn't resume basketball activities for about a month, which will keep him out against the Indiana Pacers in the opening round. If they get past Indiana, they will possibly battle the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks, assuming they can get past the Detroit Pistons in the first round.
The 25-year-old has been a strong threat off the bench, averaging 8.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, and four assists, and was even placed in to the starting lineup halfway through the season. With him out, Jaylen Brown will most likely be placed back in the starting lineup, where he was for the first 20 games of the season. After Smart was inserted in to the starting lineup, the Celtics went on an eight-game winning streak, but they will host the first-round series without him beginning this weekend.
Both Smart and Jayson Tatum left that game with injuries, but only Smart will miss an extended period of time. Boston officially released a statement saying that Smart wouldn't resume basketball activities for about a month, which will keep him out against the Indiana Pacers in the opening round. If they get past Indiana, they will possibly battle the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks, assuming they can get past the Detroit Pistons in the first round.
The 25-year-old has been a strong threat off the bench, averaging 8.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, and four assists, and was even placed in to the starting lineup halfway through the season. With him out, Jaylen Brown will most likely be placed back in the starting lineup, where he was for the first 20 games of the season. After Smart was inserted in to the starting lineup, the Celtics went on an eight-game winning streak, but they will host the first-round series without him beginning this weekend.
