The Boston Celtics need all the help they can get in their second round series against the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Playoffs. They're playing the defending champions, after all.

That's why Marcus Smart getting sidelined due to a thigh contusion couldn't come at a worse time for the Celtics. He sat out Game 2 on Tuesday, already facing a 0-1 deficit in the best-of-seven matchup.

But while Celtics coach Ime Udoka said Smart is in a lot of pain and has restricted movements, he also gave a more optimistic outlook for the Defensive Player of the Year for Game 3, as per the Celtics on Twitter.

“With the three days off, we're assuming he'll be OK (for Game 3).”

That should be a relief for the Celtics, as Smart has been the main catalyst of their straitjacketing defense. But of course, a lot can still happen in those three days between Game 2 and Game 3. So, Udoka is just probably hoping for the best.

The bulldog guard only missed 11 games in the regular season, but the Celtics went 4-7 in those outings. Clearly, he is one of the barometers of their success, along with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

Defense has been the Celtics' calling card, and they have less of a chance of stopping Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks without Smart. They could only hope that the veteran playmaker heals up completely in their three-day break.