Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown Expected to Play vs. 76ers on Wednesday

The Philadelphia 76ers will meet with the Boston Celtics for Game 2 of their second-round series on Wednesday night.

To no surprise, the Sixers’ six-time All-Star and NBA MVP Joel Embiid is on the injury report for the visiting team, as the big man continues recovering from a right knee sprain. However, Embiid is expected to make his return and play.

While the Celtics had a clear injury report outside of Danilo Gallinari and Jaylen Brown going into Game 1, that won’t be the case on Wednesday night.

Once again, Brown is Boston’s injury report as he deals with a facial fracture. Fortunately for the Celtics, Brown is able to sport a face mask and will continue doing so as he’s listed as available for Game 2.

Marcus Smart, on the other hand, is questionable to play against the Sixers. During Game 1, Smart was spotted on the bench, grabbing at his chest in pain. At one point, Smart left to go to the Celtics’ locker room before returning to the bench and eventually getting back out on the floor.

Smart has been diagnosed with a chest contusion, according to the Celtics’ injury report. Now, his status for Game 2 is currently unclear.

During Game 1, Smart checked in for 35 minutes. In that time, he put up seven shots from the floor, two of which came from deep.

Although Smart was scoreless from three, he knocked down four shots from the field and hit on all four of his free throws. In total, he scored 12 points while also coming down with three rebounds and producing seven assists.

During the regular season, Marcus Smart missed 18 games. Without Smart, the Celtics are 11-7 this year. One of his 18 absences came against the Sixers back in early February. At the time, Boston defeated Philadelphia by seven points.

Fortunately for the Celtics, they won't have to enter Game 2 without their standout guard. According to Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla, Smart will is expected to be cleared for action on Wednesday night.

Going into Wednesday’s game, the Celtics trail 0-1 in the series against the Sixers. Although Philadelphia missed Embiid, Sixers guard James Harden found success on the offensive end, exploding for 45 points. As a result, the Sixers defeated the Celtics 119-115.

Boston and Philadelphia are set to tip off at 8:00 PM on Wednesday.