After the Boston Celtics' disappointing one-point loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Jan. 23, it was reported that backup guard Marcus Smart suffered right-hand lacerations. It was later revealed that Smart had punched a picture frame on a wall out of frustration. That injury will keep him out at least until the NBA resumes activities after the All-Star break. Smart expressed his regrets through social media:

Smart recently spoke about his hand injury. According to Greg Cassioli from Celtics Wire, Smart said:

“I punched a picture frame, literally. When I punched it, I instantly looked at my hand and couldn’t believe it. It was a pretty deep cut, lacerations. I had a couple stitches.”

As he said, Smart is lucky to have avoided a more serious injury:

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“I was definitely worried. With the whole punching of the picture frame — it was glass — so I was really worried, but like I said, after talking to the doctors it was a blessing. They said it missed everything and it could have messed my hand up pretty bad.”

The loss to the Lakers was only the drop that spilled the glass. The Celtics had just lost three straight games to the New Orleans Pelicans, Philadelphia 76ers, and Orlando Magic. Those games were not supposed to go the way they did, which is what caused Smart's frustration. He said:

“I was just frustrated with myself. That moment, we had lost a few games, I think four in a row to teams we feel we should have beat. Being a competitor, missing a lot of shots, you kinda get upset at yourself…just a lot of frustration about my play as well and how the team was playing.”

Today's game against the Trail Blazers marks the fifth one Smart misses with his current hand injury. He is set to miss at least five more, with his return expected to come on Feb. 23, when they face the Detroit Pistons on the road.