Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart isn't going to miss playing against the Los Angeles Clippers just because of a sprained right ankle.

Smart, one of the fiercest competitors in the NBA, says there was no chance he was going to sit out versus the Clippers, who will have stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in the lineup together for the first time all season.

It's these type of games that Smart, the heart and soul of the Celtics, lives for.

Article Continues Below
More Boston Celtics News
boston celtics 2025 nba draft
Boston Celtics 2025 NBA Draft grades for every pickDaniel Donabedian ·
May 14, 2025; Chicago, Il, USA; Jase Richardson talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Marriott Marquis Chicago.
Orlando Magic’s Jase Richardson headlines 5 biggest steals of 2025 NBA Draft Round 1Rishav Bhat ·
Celtics' Jayson Tatum watching Cooper Flagg shoot a basketball.
Celtics’ Jayson Tatum shares Cooper Flagg photo after NBA DraftAbdullah Imran ·
Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens throws a behind the back pass to one of his players before their game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden.
Celtics pull off trade with Magic amid second round of 2025 NBA draftRichard Pereira ·
Boston Celtics center Robert Williams III (44) and forward Grant Williams (12) react in the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat during game five of the Eastern Conference Finals for the 2023 NBA playoffs at TD Garden.
Celtics’ trade proposal for Robert Williams brings much-needed depthBailey Bassett ·
Jordan Tatum 3 3 Stars, Jordan Tatum, Jordan Tatum 3 release
Jordan Tatum 3 ‘3 Stars’ dropping soonDominik Zawartko ·

“That was really actually one of the main reasons, because of who we are playing. And me being the competitor that I am, I want to be out there,” Smart said, via NBC Sports Boston. “Obviously, if it was serious enough, obviously I'd shut it down because it is so early, but, like I said, it's not as serious. It's a minor sprain, but nothing crazy, so I'm able to still play.

“And that's what I want to do.”

The Celtics are 11-2 on the season, good for first place in the Eastern Conference. Wednesday could be a potential Finals preview, although it's the other team in LA — the Los Angeles Lakers — which has the best record in the West at 12-2. The Clippers are 9-5.

On the season for the Celtics, Smart is averaging 11.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game. He's shooting 38.0 percent from the field, 37.2 percent from beyond the arc and 83.3 percent from the free-throw line.