While playing against the Miami Heat in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Boston Celtics player Marcus Smart suffered an ankle injury. After finishing the game, he ran to the pavilion in pain, but made a heroic comeback in the next match.
Throughout the remainder of Boston’s NBA Finals run, the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year played through the injury, but he just wasn’t the same. Because of the mobility he lost due to the ankle strain, Smart’s defensive influence wasn’t as significant after that. The Celtics were destroyed later in the playoffs by players like Jimmy Butler and Steph Curry, and the team was helpless.
In an interview with Bobby Manning of CLNS Media on Saturday during a pop-up shop appearance in Boston, the 28-year-old veteran issued a caution, saying he’s “pretty close” to achieving the 100% level. “My ankle is feeling better, it’s still healing, so I’m dealing with that,” Smart said.
“Just giving it as much rest as I can, but definitely back on the court. I’m definitely back into the action. It feels like yesterday we just started playing, we haven’t really missed a beat, but I’m definitely doing everything I can to be ready for next season and to go deeper. I’m pretty close (to 100%).”
After having started 71 games, been named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and contributed significantly to a run to the NBA Finals, Smart is coming off of the best season of his career. In those 71 starts, he averaged 12 points, six assists, and the second-highest shooting percentage of his career (41%).
As the team’s objective is still to win a championship, he will be trying to build on that this season. Marcus will also receive greater assistance. To add some guard depth off the bench, Boston signed former NBA Rookie of the Year Malcom Brogdon.
Both Smart and the Boston Celtics will benefit from the two players’ comparable play styles. If Brogdon stays healthy, his presence will allow Smart to take breaks during the season, allowing him to be more rested in April, May, and June.
