After leaving the game in the first half, returning, and then appearing to limp into the locker room, Coach Ime Udoka gives a health update on Marcus Smart.
Less than halfway through Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Boston Celtics were contending with another injury to one of their key players.
Starting point guard Marcus Smart, the 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year, went straight to the locker room as the first half wound down against the Bucks after a collision in the lane with Milwaukee guard Jevon Carter.
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Smart returned for the second half, however, despite suffering an apparent right shoulder stinger and right quad contusion. He finished with 10 points on 3 of 11 shooting -- 1 for 6 from 3-point range -- with two steals and six assists over 33 minutes in the Celtics' 101-89 loss.
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"I think the quad bothered him more than the shoulder but he's going to play through a lot," Boston coach Ime Udoka said after the game. "It could have affected him offensively, getting downhill and driving a little bit; defensively as well, he likes to climb up into guys and be more physical. It probably affected him some. He's getting iced down now; I assume he'll be OK."
The Celtics were without starting center Robert Williams III for the first two games of their series against the Brooklyn Nets, getting him back in a limited role for the final two games of the sweep before he returned to the starting lineup in Game 1 on Sunday.
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Jaylen Brown also appears to be somewhat dinged up for the Celtics, nursing a hamstring ailment.
