Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart is targeting a return to the court if his team faces a possible Game 7 against the Milwaukee Bucks in their first round series, according to ESPN’s Chris Forsberg.
Smart, wearing a new splint on his shooting hand, got up shots before Game 1 between the Celtics and Bucks, then expressed optimism about getting back on the court to help his injury-ravaged team should it hang around in the playoffs.
“Today was the first day with the new splint on to actually get out here and do something. So the thumb felt well,” said Smart, who underwent surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament on March 16.
“We’re on track for [a return in the] next three weeks, possibly Game 7 of the first round, [but] definitely second round. So we’re on the right path.”
Smart has been sidelined since March 11 with a torn right UCL tendon in his thumb. After surgery to repair the tendon, the Celtics said Smart would need six-to-eight weeks for recovery.
Smart is averaging 10.2 points, 4.8 assists, and 1.3 steals in 54 games this season.
