Celts not so Smart on Saturday

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Marcus Smart won’t travel with Celtics for Saturday’s rematch against the Wizards
Updated: Oct. 29, 2021, 12:24 p.m. | Published: Oct. 29, 2021, 12:24 p.m.



Boston Celtics' Grant Williams (12) celebrates with Marcus Smart (36) after Smart made a three point basket to force overtime during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, in New York. The Knicks won 138-134. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

By Souichi Terada | sterada@masslive.com
The Celtics will again be shorthanded as one of their starters will miss Saturday’s rematch against the Wizards.
Boston coach Ime Udoka said Friday after practice that Marcus Smart won’t travel with the team to Washington D.C. because of a non-COVID illness. Udoka added that Aaron Nesmith is also feeling ill and didn’t practice Friday, but he will travel with the team. Nesmith’s playing status will be determined at a later time.

It’s not the first time Smart has dealt with feeling under the weather. He said he was dealing with migraines and body aches after the overtime Hornets win earlier in the week. It was to the point where Smart said he almost sat and didn’t play because he was feeling terrible. Now, the Celtics will be without Smart as they play the Wizards at 5 p.m. Saturday at Capital One Arena.
Udoka didn’t mention Romeo Langford’s name when asked for a health update, which appears to be a positive sign. Langford has missed the past three games because of left calf tightness, but he has slowly been working toward his return.
The Celtics are hoping to bounce back after losing 116-107 Wednesday to the Wizards at TD Garden. Washington, now 4-1, is one of the hottest teams in the league and gave the C’s some issues when they first met. Boston’s defense has struggled this season, and without Smart on that end, the Celtics will need to look sharper than they have been in recent games where their effort has been questioned.