Marcus Smart of the Boston Celtics has not been able to suit up during this year’s playoffs due to an oblique injury. Though his progress seems good, with the next step being contact drills, Smart is still questionable to return to the court for the team’s second-round series against the surging Milwaukee Bucks.

The Bucks, after getting blown out in Game 1, took a 2-1 lead over the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals with a controversial win on Friday night. Needless to say, Boston would be much better off it Smart were available, offering endless grit and tenacity that both makes life hell on the opposition and inspires his teammates to play with the same competitive fire.

His most recent contribution to the Celtics' community, though, is one of his most important yet. After The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor revealed that his father was recently diagnosed with late-stage cancer, Smart presented the O'Connors with a signed jersey.

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No matter what your opinion of the Celtics is, Smart’s versatile defensive work and high-effort minutes truly makes Boston go. His improvement as a shooter, he shot a career-high 36.4 percent from deep on the season, has been integral to his development as a two-way impact player.

Still, it's the contagious spirit Smart brings to the table on a daily basis that makes him most valuable to Boston. While that's most often manifested on the floor, it's heartwarming to see Smart use his fame and notoriety to make a difference in the life of stranger off the court, too.