Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Marcus Smart Provides Update on Ankle Injury; Says There's no Target Date for His Return
With less than ten seconds left in the first half of the Celtics' 106-104 win over the Raptors north of the border ten days ago, Marcus Smart suffered a non-contact ankle injury, later determined to be a right ankle sprain.
Since then, Boston's been without its floor general, losing three-straight games before beating the Lakers 125-121 in overtime last Saturday.
Tuesday at the Auerbach Center, Smart provided a progress report.
"It's alright. Around this time last year, when I injured it, I was still struggling, so I guess that's the good thing; it's not feeling as bad as it was, even though it's the same ankle. It's a long season. I don't have to rush, so we're just taking it day-by-day."
When asked if he's making any improvements, Smart answered, "yeah, they're not drastic; they're very small improvements at this point, but improvements nonetheless."
Smart also conveyed that before he tests out his injured ankle, he's "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."
The Celtics are proud of how they've navigated the turmoil they dealt with entering this season, building the NBA's best record at 36-15, earning Joe Mazzulla and the coaching staff the distinction of coaching in the All-Star Game, where they'll do so for Team Giannis.
They also know the importance of trying to get to the playoffs as fresh as possible for a run they're hoping ends with banner 18.
So, while Smart rushed back from the bone bruise he suffered during the Eastern Conference Finals against the Heat last season, he understands he can afford to be patient and give his ankle the team it needs to heal.
"When I felt it, my ankle was just on fire, and I instantly knew that I wasn't coming back into this game, the Toronto game. It had been the same ankle, in exactly the same spot. Just reaggravated, and there was just no need for me to rush back."
Adding, "I just made a decision, and the team made a decision; it wasn't smart for me to go back. Playoffs, probably would've tried it, but there's no need for that right now."
Smart also said they've yet to set a target date for his return, meaning it's possible he doesn't do so until after the All-Star break, which starts for the Celtics after they host the Pistons on Feb. 15.
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