Celtics' Smart out Friday vs. Bulls

Rookie point guard Marcus Smart will miss an eighth straight game when his Boston Celtics take on the Chicago Bulls on Friday afternoon, the team has announced.

Smart, who suffered a nasty looking ankle sprain that saw him stretchered off the floor against Indiana on Nov. 7, was unable to complete his first practice back on Wednesday. The original timeline for his return to action was expected to be two-to-three weeks.

Smart has averaged 6.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 steals through five games so far.