Marcus Smart sprains left ankle in Boston Celtics preseason finale

BOSTON – On a night where Brad Stevens was resting his top players, he ended up losing the sixth starter.

Marcus Smart sprained his left ankle Wednesday night when he drove the lane and rolled his ankle on Knicks player Justin Holiday’s foot. Smart’s leg buckled, and he collapsed to the ground as play continued.

Smart was carried off to the locker room and quickly ruled out for the game by the Celtics.

“Twisted his ankle. Will be re-evaluated tomorrow,” coach Brad Stevens said. “Early indication -- he’s had an ankle sprain or two in the past — but early indication s are that it looks like hopefully not too long term. We don’t know what it means. We’ll have a better idea in the next couple days.”

Smart may miss two weeks and miss the season opener according to CSNNE’s A. Sherrod Blakely. However, after that early report just after the injury, the scare may not be as significant.

“We practice every day; that can happen in practice,” Stevens said. “So that was ajust a unique thing. As he was diriving down the court, he stepped on somebody’s foot and twisted it and that’s why we ultimately have a team. So we can make up for a loss of a key contributor if necessary.”

Smart will be further evaluated Thursday and his status will be updated shortly.