The Boston Celtics have made it clear to everyone that they are a force to be reckoned with, defeating the defending NBA Champion Milwaukee Bucks in Game 7 on Sunday in convincing fashion. While it’s obviously great to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat, there are some concerns following the game that have Celtics fans worried.
Celtics guard Marcus Smart suffered a mid-foot sprain on Sunday. His MRI came back clean with no serious damage, but he is listed as questionable for Game 1 on Tuesday.
Smart underwent an MRI today on that right foot and the imaging returned clean, sources tell ESPN. There’s hope he’ll be ready for Game 1 and Celtics will see how it feels on Tuesday in Miami. https://t.co/pAruJK3cbN
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 16, 2022
This has Celtics fans hoping that the NBA Defensive Player of the Year can return in time for their matchup in Miami.
This is great news for Marcus Smart & the Celtics https://t.co/p5ZSfhTtfJ
— Josue Pavón (@Joe_Sway) May 16, 2022
Let's go @smart_MS3!! https://t.co/S1tU3P1b8k
— Junior Coimbra (@JuniorCoimbra77) May 16, 2022
Smart’s impact can not be understated for the Celtics in their past series against Milwaukee. He was often tasked with guarding Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. Despite being heavily outsized, Smart held his own quite well and greatly aided the Celtics in their attempt to slow him down.
Marcus Smart guarded Giannis on 29 possessions and allowed 4 points on 2-6 shooting
He guarded Jrue Holiday on 13 possessions and allowed 4 points
He guarded Grayson Allen on 11 possessions and allowed 0 points
Put some respect on the Defensive Player Of The Year
— Dan Greenberg (@StoolGreenie) May 16, 2022
The Celtics also received some terrific news regarding center Robert Williams. Williams has been used sparingly this past series after returning from a torn meniscus back in March.
Celtics head coach Ime Udoka said that Williams will not have any restrictions for the team’s upcoming series, which could loom extremely large for the Celtics moving forward.
During his availability, Ime Udoka said Marcus Smart is questionable for Game 1 with a midfoot sprain he suffered during Game 7, & that Robert Williams won't have any restrictions in Game 1. Udoka said before Game 7 Williams was available but he didn't want to shift his rotation.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) May 16, 2022
Williams was fourth in the NBA in blocks per game this regular season and had a very good argument for Defensive Player of the Year if Smart didn’t win the award.
Both players played a huge part in the Celtics being the top defense this year in the NBA, and these reports suggest that both will be available for most of the upcoming series, which is great news for the Celtics going forward.
[Adrian Wojnarowski, Tim Bontemps]