Marcus Smart return "at least a week" away

Marcus Smart was injured on November 7th (2 weeks ago) and the timetable at the time was 2-3 weeks.  The Celtics have two games this weekend and the logical question was if he'd be available to play in them.

That timeline was just an estimate though, and every case is different.  All accounts have Smart working hard on his rehab and doing everything the trainers are telling him.  He says he has good days and some days when it doesn't feel as good.  These things just take time.

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"He tried to go up and down the court a few times, just in one direction — no lateral movement," said Stevens. "It wasn’t anything like a huge burst of speed." Smart said he is still experiencing pain, but yesterday’s side session at the Celts’ practice was designed to both rehabilitate and chart.

Ainge thinks Smart is 'at least a week away' | Comcast SportsNet - CSNNE.com

"I'd be surprised if he were able to play this weekend," Ainge said. "He's getting better. But I think he's at least a week away."

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"I think there's the potential that he could be back as early as early next week (for practice). I personally think Sunday (when the Celtics host the Trail Blazers) would be stretching it," Stevens told reporters in Philadelphia at Wednesday's shootaround, hours before visiting the 76ers. "I don't know that. But then I think he could be back practicing once we have that four- or five-day break."

After Sunday's game against Portland, the team won't have another game till next Friday (the day after Thanksgiving).  That might be a more reasonable time to expect Smart to make his return, but all will depend on how he looks in practice next week.