Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens says Marcus Smart’s oblique injury should not keep him sidelined for an extended period of time.

Smart has an abdomen contusion. He left Sunday’s game against the New York Knicks after suffering the injury.

The Celtics are 14-5 on the season. They are in fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings entering Wednesday's game against the Miami Heat.

In 19 games this season, Smart is averaging 11.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.7 assists. 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. Smart, the heart and soul in Boston, will try his hardest to come back soon since he hates to miss games.

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 21.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 18 games.

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.