Marcus Smart Returns for Celtics' Last Game Before All-Star Break

When the Celtics host the Pistons on Wednesday night, their last matchup before the All-Star break, they'll have their starting floor general in the lineup for the first time in 11 games.

During that stretch, Boston went 6-5 without Marcus Smart, sidelined due to a right ankle sprain suffered in a win north of the border against the Raptors on Jan 21.

Having sprained that same ankle during the Eastern Conference Finals, Smart expressed he wanted to make sure not to rush the recovery process and risk suffering a setback.

"Just trying to wait for it to heal a little more because of the bone bruise, things like that's going on with it. I don't want to be out there, put too much pressure on it early, and now we start back at day one," he conveyed at the Auerbach Center two weeks ago.

Friday, ahead of the Celtics' 127-116 win over the Hornets, Brad Stevens said Smart is "progressing" and that he tested out his ankle today, adding the reigning Defensive Player of the Year's range of motion is improving.

Joe Mazzulla shared during his pregame media availability that night, from what he's told, "Marcus is feeling good," but the pain hasn't gone away.

Boston will also have Al Horford in the lineup on Wednesday. Horford missed Tuesday's 131-125 overtime loss to the Bucks due to right knee swelling. He missed two-consecutive tilts before suiting up for Sunday's 119-109 win vs. the Grizzlies.

Derrick White, who did not travel with the team coming back from Milwaukee, reportedly staying behind to see an ear specialist due to having trouble hearing after taking a hit to the ear in the first half, is probable for Wednesday's matchup against Detroit.

White led the Celtics with 27 points, dished out 12 assists, the most in the matchup, and tied Jrue Holiday for a game-high with three steals on Tuesday.

Robert Williams, who played 12:57, and in overtime, only came in for the final play, is questionable due to his left ankle sprain. If the Timelord suits up, it'll be the first time he plays in both halves of a back-to-back this season.

Mike Muscala, who logged 44 minutes, 20 more than his previous season high, while with the Thunder, is out due to right ankle injury management. Stepping into a starting role for the shorthanded Celtics in only his third game with Boston, Moose registered 18 points and eight rebounds against Milwaukee.

Jayson Tatum, who did not play Tuesday due to a non-Covid illness, is off the injury report. Still, after not playing against the Bucks, his status bears monitoring. Tatum is candid about how much he hates missing games, something he has done only four times this season, so perhaps his All-Star break is yet to begin. Inside The Celtics will update this article when there's an announcement about Tatum's status for Wednesday's matchup.

Grant Williams is also absent from Boston's injury report. On the heels of Tuesday's loss, he addressed the right elbow swelling he and the team are managing.

There's no mystery surrounding his running mate's status, though, as Jaylen Brown is out due to a facial fracture he suffered in the Celtics' 106-99 win vs. the Sixers.

Sunday, before Boston beat Memphis, Brown spoke about the possibility of him playing in the All-Star Game.

The Celtics will also be without Mfiondu Kabengele (personal reasons) and Danilo Gallinari (left knee ACL repair) when they host the Pistons Wednesday night.

Tip-off is at 7:30 pm EST. Inside The Celtics will have content related to the game coming out before, during, and afterward. And follow @BobbyKrivitsky on Twitter for updates and analysis from pregame to post.

Update: During his pregame media availability, Joe Mazzulla confirmed Jayson Tatum is available for Wednesday night's matchup.

Mazzulla also said Marcus Smart "checked all the boxes" and has no limitations in his first game back.

Mazzulla provided the following about Derrick White, who's upgraded from probable to active after meeting with an ear specialist.

"He had a hole in his eardrum. But he was cleared by the specialist. He’s here, and he’s ready to play."

While those three are available, Robert Williams got downgraded from questionable to out due to his left ankle sprain. As noted while discussing Williams earlier, it would've been the first time he played in both halves of a back-to-back this season.

As for the Pistons, they'll have trade-deadline acquisition James Wiseman in the lineup Wednesday night.

"We want to get him some minutes," Detroit head coach Dwane Casey stated pregame of Wiseman's opportunity against Boston. "How many is determined by him," said Casey, citing the former second-overall pick's conditioning.

Further Reading

Tuesday's Near-Win for Shorthanded Celtics vs. Bucks Not a Moral Victory, But Boston Sees the Value of the Experience

Here's What Stood Out in the Celtics' Loss vs. Bucks: Shorthanded Visitors Fight Valiantly, But Inability to Close Quarters Proves Costly

Grant Williams Reportedly Seeking Contract In the $20 Million Annually Range

Jayson Tatum to Participate in 3-Point Contest at All-Star Weekend

Celtics Guard Wins NBA Player of the Week For First Time in Career After Massive Week

Mike Muscala on Celtics Debut: 'a Blessing, it was Fun'

Derrick White Discusses His Career Night and Matching a Celtics Franchise Record

Celtics Reportedly 'Engaged' with Several Potential Buyout Candidates