Marcus Smart being evaluated for a potentially torn right thumb tendon

Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
about 1 hour ago
Report on Marcus Smart, who is getting a second opinion on whether surgery is needed for a potentially torn thumb tendon, according to sources. celticswire.usatoday.com/2018/03/12/sou…

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https://celticswire.usatoday.com/2018/03/12/sources-boston-celtics-marcus-smart-being-evaluated-for-a-potentially-torn-right-thumb-tendon/







Boston Celtics' Marcus Smart being evaluated for a potentially torn right thumb tendon



By: Jared Weiss | 19 hours ago



Marcus Smart is being evaluated for a potentially torn tendon in his right thumb, two people with knowledge of the situation tell Celtics Wire.

Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart is being evaluated for a potentially torn right thumb tendon and is seeking multiple opinions, two people with knowledge of the situation told Celtics Wire under the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.

Smart will seek a second opinion this week to determine the severity of the tendon damage and whether surgery is needed. Yahoo Sports’ Shams Charania was the first to report the potential tear.

Smart said after the game it was a sprain and the Celtics maintained that diagnosis as of practice Monday while Smart is in the process of his thumb being further examined. But he will remain out for an unspecified period of time as doctors evaluate whether the sprain is severe enough to be classified as a tear.

Smart suffered the injury when diving for a loose ball at the 9:24 mark of the third quarter in the Celtics’ 99-97 loss to the Indiana Pacers Sunday.

Tomek Kordylewski
@Timi_093
Here's how @smart_MS3 injured his thumb.

https://twitter.com/Timi_093/status/973282650487250945

Yeah, on a dive for a loose ball.

With 9:25 left in the third quarter.

He, of course, did not left and have finished the game, hitting 3 of his 6 threes after tearing a tendon.

12:40 PM - Mar 12, 2018
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“(It’s) sore, but it will be alright,” Smart said Sunday night after the game, sporting a black soft brace on his thumb after the injury. “It’s like a sprain right now.”

Even if the diagnosis is confirmed to be a torn right thumb, Smart may not necessarily require surgery and could play through the injury. Smart’s contract expires after this season as he hits the restricted free agent market and he is looking to make a big impact in the playoffs.

If Smart has to miss time, a scenario may emerge where the Celtics would qualify for a hardship exception from the NBA, allowing them to temporarily sign another player. To qualify, Boston would need to have four players miss three consecutive games. They would then be allowed to add an 18th player to the roster if the league provides the exemption, but would have to release a player when one of the injured players is ready to return.

Brad Stevens made it clear to reporters at practice Monday that he does not want to cut one of the young players already on the roster to make room for more help. The team recalled rookie big man Guershcon Yabusele from the Maine Red Claws to rejoin the active roster and will make use of two-way players Kadeem Allen — who played in Sunday’s game briefly — and Jabari Bird to shore up the guard rotation if needed. Although both players are limited to 45-days of NBA service and are somewhat unofficially near that limit, the days of service stop counting against the cap after the G-League regular season ends on March 24.

Further updates will be provided as the story develops.




bob




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http://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2018/03/marcus_smart_injury_boston_cel_16.html



Marcus Smart injury: Boston Celtics guard setting up visit with hand specialist in New York, per report



Updated 8:39 AM; Posted 8:40 AM





Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) dribbles during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Boston, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)




By Jay King mjking@masslive.com




Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart is planning to travel to New York for another examination of his injured right thumb, according to NBA.com's David Aldridge.


David Aldridge

@daldridgetnt
@smart_MS3 in the process of setting up visit with hand specialist in New York to check severity of injury, per source.

7:39 AM - Mar 13, 2018 · Washington, DC



As of Monday, the Celtics weren't sure whether Smart would need surgery. If he does, he could miss extended time. If he's able to avoid surgery, the absence could be a quicker one.

The Celtics have gotten crushed by injuries recently with Kyrie Irving (knee), Jaylen Brown (concussion), Al Horford (illness), Daniel Theis (torn meniscus) and Shane Larkin (knee) all dealing with one issue or another. Smart's versatility, toughness and playmaking are all important for the Celtics. If his injury sidelines him into the playoffs it would be a big hit to their chances.



bob



.

With the rash of recent injuries, look for the '17-'18 Celtics to become poster boys for the shorter NBA season debate.