The Boston Celtics came into Saturday’s game against the Toronto Raptors with the best record in the NBA, but some significant injuries to key players Marcus Smart and Robert Williams may put a huge snag in their terrific season.
Both injuries occurred in the second quarter of Saturday’s game, with Smart going down to a concerning-looking lower leg injury, instantly grabbing his right ankle. He needed help as he was walking off the court and was visibly in pain when he put any weight on the ankle.
Marcus Smart had to get helped off the court after an apparent injury vs. the Raptors. pic.twitter.com/A8wi1LZOEO
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) January 21, 2023
Williams suffered a knee injury earlier in the quarter and was instantly taken out of the game. Neither player returned in the second half, and Smart was ultimately diagnosed with a sprained right ankle, while Williams was diagnosed with a left knee hyperextension.
Brutal halftime injury report for the Celtics.
Marcus Smart is out with a right ankle sprain, and Robert Williams is out with a left knee hyperextension.
— Marc D'Amico (@Marc_DAmico) January 21, 2023
Luckily a positive update was given on both players following the game, with Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla detailing that neither injury appears to be all that serious.
“Rob hyperextended his knee. It is nothing serious, just obviously taking precautions, he felt good coming off the court. Smart obviously sprained his ankle, the x-rays were negative. It will just be a matter of how he is able to cope with it,” said Mazzulla via NBC Sports Boston on Twitter.
Joe Mazzulla gives some positive updates on Rob Williams and Marcus Smart after they both left the game vs. the Raptors pic.twitter.com/8fFWbWlY7U
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) January 22, 2023
All things considered, this is likely the best-case scenario for Boston on both players considering the severity of how the injuries looked in real-time.
[NBA on ESPN on Twitter, NBC Sports Boston on Twitter]