Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart plans to play on Friday against the Denver Nuggets despite still dealing with some soreness.
Smart has an abdomen contusion. He left Sunday’s game against the New York Knicks after suffering the injury and didn't play on Wednesday versus the Miami Heat.
Marcus Smart: “I plan to play tonight.”
— Brian Robb (@BrianTRobb) December 6, 2019
The Celtics are 15-5 on the season. They are in second place in the Eastern Conference standings entering Friday’s game against the Nuggets.
In 19 games this season, Smart is averaging 11.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game. He’s shooting 37.7 percent from the field, 32.8 percent from beyond the arc and 87.9 percent from the free-throw line.
The Celtics are still without small forward Gordon Hayward, who is recovering from surgery to address a broken hand. Everyone knew Smart, the heart and soul in Boston, would try his hardest to come back soon since he hates to miss games and Celtics fans were once again right.
Kemba Walker, who replaced Kyrie Irving as the starting point guard for the Celtics, has gotten off to a fast start in Boston. The three-time All-Star is putting up 21.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game in 19 appearances.
It’s still unclear when Hayward will return to the lineup, which is why Smart’s presence on the floor is so important for the Celtics since he does so many things for them which don’t show up in the box score. Smart, 25, is making $12.1 million this season.
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