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Shams Charania reported that Celtics guard Marcus Smart underwent a reevaluation on his injured right thumb Monday, and that he is expected to return to game action by April 27th.
Sources: Celtics guard Marcus Smart had reevaluation on torn right UCL Monday in New York and is expected to receive clearance to return to game action at six-week mark of surgery (April 27). Smart has been cleared to start light non-contact shooting.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 9, 2018
After Smart’s surgery, the Celtics announced that he would return to basketball activities in 6-8 weeks. After the reevaluation, Smart seems to be ahead of schedule for his return.
The second round of the playoffs is scheduled to begin on April 30th, so Boston could get one of their defensive stalwarts back for the conference semifinals or a late first round game. Smart has been out since Boston’s March 11th loss to the Indiana Pacers. He injured his thumb diving for a loose ball during a 20-point performance as a starter.
With Kyrie Irving undergoing another knee procedure, promptly ending his season, the Celtics only have Terry Rozier and Shane Larkin as traditional ball handlers. The Celtics will likely have to gut out a first round series win to get an injection of energy and grit from Smart against stronger eastern conference foes.
The Celtics have two games remaining against the Wizards and Nets, as they’re locked into the second seed in the playoffs.