It feels like Marcus Smart has grown accustomed to playing through a litany of ailments that come from his all-out hustle style and the grind of an NBA season.
But Smart won’t be able to push through a right thumb sprain Monday when the Boston Celtics face off against the Toronto Raptors. The Celtics downgraded the starting guard to out for the contest less than two hours prior to tip-off as Smart joins teammates Javonte Green, Jeff Teague, Kemba Walker and Romeo Walker as players on Boston who won’t suit up.
“Just had a scan on that thumb and didn’t look too bad at first glance but we have to be smart about that,” said Celtics coach Brad Stevens of Smart in his pregrame press conference with the media.