The Boston Celtics have announced that Marcus Smart, for the first time this postseason, will be active in Game 4 against the Milwaukee Bucks.
#NEBHInjuryReport Marcus Smart has been upgraded to AVAILABLE 🙌
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 6, 2019
Smart has been out since April 7 with a torn oblique. He was targeted to return in the Conference Semifinals and recovered right on schedule, ready and available for Game 4.
Unleash the cobra 🐍 pic.twitter.com/oCosZ0XjMT
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 6, 2019
This is a similar scenario as a season ago, when Smart missed the first four games of the Celtics-Bucks series with a torn ligament in his thumb. He returned with the series tied at 2-2 and the Celtics went on to defeat the Bucks in seven games to advance to the Conference Semifinals.
This time around, the Celtics face a 2-1 deficit in the series with a chance to tie things up before heading back to Milwaukee for Game 5.
Head coach Brad Stevens says that though Smart is available, he will not start. Stevens also stated that Smart will not be under a minutes restriction, but will play in 'short stints' per Sean Grande.
"There is no question Smart is excited to be back," Stevens told the media at pregame availability. "That should give us a good lift."