The Boston Celtics will be without Marcus Smart when they play the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference Semifinals series.
While Smart was already listed as questionable for the game because of a right thigh contusion, there were some hope that he could be healthy to suit up in the must-win showdown with the Bucks. Unfortunately, he is still bothered by the issue that has been causing him discomfort.
Aside from the thigh contusion, Smart also sustained a shoulder injury in Game 1, though it isn't as big of a deal as the other.
Boston has officially ruled Smart out of tonight's Game 2 against Milwaukee with a right thigh contusion.
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Derrick White will start in place of Marcus Smart for the Celtics. However, his absence is still a massive blow to their chances of tying the series.
Smart is the Defensive Player of the Year, and he anchors the Celtics' defense by locking down the opposing best player. Now that he's out, Boston has to produce a more complete performance on that end and find a way to slow down their opponents.
Of course that is easier said than done given the fact that the Bucks have one of the most difficult players to guard in Giannis Antetokounmpo. Game 1 was highly physical already, and the Celtics can't expect thing to be different in their Tuesday showdown.
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