Celtics' Smart could be cleared to return for potential Game 6 vs. Bucks
If all goes well the next time Marcus Smart sees his doctor, he could be back on the hardwood as soon as Thursday.
The Boston Celtics guard will visit his doctor in New York on Tuesday to have his surgically-repaired right thumb evaluated. He told reporters Sunday he believes he could play in a potential Game 6 against the Milwaukee Bucks, according to the Boston Globe's Adam Himmelsbach.
"Right now, that's the plan," Smart said ahead of Game 4 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. "We're still on the same track. I've been doing everything but contact, so once I get the go and start doing contact, I'm ready for game action."
Boston held down its home floor in Games 1 and 2, but followed up those wins with a feeble performance in Game 3 on Friday, losing 116-92 after shooting just 40 percent from the field.
Smart underwent thumb surgery on March 16 to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament and has been sidelined since.
"I think the thumb, the surgery did its job," he said. "Thumb is holding up well. I feel ready. I feel strong enough to get back out there. I’m just waiting on the OK."
The 24-year-old sounded optimistic earlier in the week about playing in a Game 7 but said he and his doctors weren't going to rush his return. A worst-case scenario would have him back in the rotation for the start of the second round if the Celtics can close out Milwaukee.
He finished the regular season as the seventh-best scorer on the team at 10.2 points per game, adding 3.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.3 steals in 29.9 minutes.