Is Jayson Tatum Available For Pacers Clash? Marcus Smart Ruled Out

The Boston Celtic have suffered a significant injury blow ahead of the first round of its playoff games against the Indiana Pacers after Marcus Smart’s injury was confirmed to be worse than first expected. The shooting guard suffered an oblique bruise during the game against Orlando Magic on Sunday night, which has now been upgraded to a torn oblique muscle.

It was an inconsequential game for the Celtics, who had already wrapped up fourth place and home court advantage in the Eastern Conference, but Brad Stevens was looking to give his regulars some game time before the playoffs. Smart suffered the injury midway through the third quarter, and it was initially expected to be a minor knock.

Stevens revealed that Smart was walking around in the locker room after the game, but the team has now confirmed that he suffered a partial avulsion of his left oblique abdominal muscle of his iliac crest that will keep him out for at least four to six weeks.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the shooting guard could miss the first two rounds of the playoffs that is if the Celtics manage to beat the Pacers and potentially the East’s top seeds Milwaukee Bucks in the second round. Smart is an important player for Stevens, more so in the defensive side of the game and will be a big miss when they take on the Pacers.

Meanwhile, there is some good news for Stevens on the injury front with Jayson Tatum, who suffered a shin contusion just six minutes into the game against Magic, is expected to be ready when Game 1 comes around this weekend. The forward limped off after playing just six minutes and it was revealed later the injury was sustained prior to the game against Magic.

The Athletic’s Celtics reporter Jay King reported that Tatum was hopeful of being available for Game 1 against the Pacers after completing practice on Wednesday. The Celtics second top scorer is said to have revealed that he is feeling “way better” than he felt when he left the court Sunday night.

Tatum’s availability will come as music to the ears of head coach Stevens, as the second year starter is a key member of the starting lineup. The 21-year-old’s partnership with Kyrie Irving, who will be playing his first playoff match for the Celtics after missing last season with injury, will be key if they are to make a deep run in the playoffs.