Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart has been making good progress in his road to recovery ever since suffering an oblique injury prior to the start of the postseason. The 24-year-old appears to be inching towards a return to the court after a lengthy layoff, with a report emerging that he is set to re-join the Celtics practice on Sunday.

Smart has been out for roughly a month now, and provided how he was given a four- to six-week timetable for a return, this recent development coincides with that initial assessment.

Then again, as indicated by Celtics head coach Brad Stevens himself, it's not going to be a full-contact practice for Smart, which proves that he is, at the very least, still a couple of days away from returning.

At this point, the Celtics could use all the help they can get, as they hope to upset the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks in their second-round Eastern Conference playoffs matchup.

Boston lost on Friday in Game 3, which gave Milwaukee a 2-1 advantage in the series. Despite an impressive 29-point performance from main man Kyrie Irving, the C's had no answer to Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, who accounted for 32 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and three blocks.

Game 4 is scheduled for Monday, and at the moment, Smart is looking doubtful to suit up for that one. With a little bit of luck, though, he may be ready to take the floor for Game 5 back in Milwaukee on Wednesday night.