Celtics Top Brass Cautious With Marcus Smart After Injury, Questionable To Play On Friday

The Boston Celtics are not taking any chances on Marcus Smart's recent oblique injury. The savvy guard will be questionable on Friday's game against the Denver Nuggets after missing the team's game against the Miami Heat last Wednesday.

Smart, who's averaging a career season in scoring with an average of 11.9 points per game, suffered an oblique injury on Sunday against the New York Knicks. Kevin Knox inadvertently elbowed the Celtic guard on a drive play in the third quarter of the game.

According to Austin Kent of Slam.com, Smart was fortunate because he seems to have avoided a severe injury. Last season, Marcus was forced to sit out the first round of the playoffs against the Indiana Pacers because of an oblique tear. Boston eventually bowed down to Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks on the second round.

The Celtics top brass said that Marcus would be questionable for tomorrow's game. Gordon Hayward and Romeo Langford remain out with no clear timeline for their return.

Brad Stevens is looking optimistic after he informed ESPN's Tim Bontemps that Smart's injury isn't "as bad as in the past." He also told Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald that the injury "wasn't as bad as the tear... We're just going to take it slow and day by day, re-evaluate it."

Despite the setbacks, Boston is still looking like a strong contender in the Eastern Conference division. On Wednesday, the team secured a statement win over the Miami Heat on Jaylen Brown and Kemba Walker's offensive showing.

The duo totaled for 59 points, ensuring a 112 to 93 win and snagging the second spot in the East from Miami despite the absence of Marcus Smart and Gordon Hayward in the lineup. With the Win Boston improved to a 15 to 5 win-loss record, just three wins behind the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks.

Boston would likely be cautious with Smart, given his past injuries in the oblique area.