Boston Celtics' defensive menace Marcus Smart has officially been cleared to return to the lineup and he will play in Game 5 tonight “if he feels good” following morning workouts. Smart has been sidelined since suffering a torn tendon in his right thumb on March 11.
The 24-year old guard underwent surgery to repair his thumb shortly after sustaining the injury, and was expected to miss anywhere from six to eight weeks. This Friday will mark exactly six weeks since the surgery.
According to Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald, Smart originally was scheduled to meet with his surgeon today in New York but that meeting took place yesterday and he was ultimately cleared to play. After the Celtics dropped Games 3 & 4 in Milwaukee the series, tied 2-2, now shifts back to the TD Garden in Boston for a pivotal Game 5.
It would be shocking if Smart does not make his return.
Additionally, Murphy notes that Smart has some added motivation to play, other than the fact that he hates watching from the sidelines.
"But the tragic news that Camellia Smart [Smart's mother] has been diagnosed with bone marrow cancer is undoubtedly the greatest motivator of all. When he went back to Texas two weeks ago, and was given the news by Camellia in person, she also told him to go back to Boston to get ready to play again."
“She told me that’s what was going to put a smile on her face,” Smart said at the time.
Game 5 is scheduled to tipoff tonight at 7:00pm ET, airing on NBA TV.