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The Celtics lost two players to injuries in a game that essentially had little impact on their playoff positioning after the Nets beat the Pacers to secure the Celtics home-court in the first round.
Marcus Smart exited the game and was ruled out with a left hip contusion following the initial injury on the possession before in the third quarter. Adrian Wojnarowski reported that he suffered a left oblique strain and the team will monitor him over the next two days.
Marcus Smart will not return to the game due to a left hip contusion from this play (@AAANe_MAnews) #AAANortheast pic.twitter.com/4zVVfp1gwo
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) April 8, 2019
He battled inside for a loose ball near Nikola Vucevic and his hip collided into Vucevic. Smart stood for a moment, fell to the ground, winced, and returned to action. He jogged to the other side of the floor, then collapsed again following the offensive possession.
Strained oblique for Boston’s Marcus Smart, league source tells ESPN. They’ll see how it responds in next 24-48 hours.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 8, 2019
Jayson Tatum exited the game earlier with a shin contusion and the Celts quickly ruled him out. The Indiana-Brooklyn conclusion occurred too late for Boston to switch course and rule players inactive for tonight’s game.
We’ll update as more information becomes available.
#NEBHInjuryReport Jayson Tatum (left shin contusion) will not return tonight.
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 7, 2019