BOSTON — Celtics rookie guard Marcus Smart was carted off with a left ankle injury early in the fourth quarter of Friday night’s 101-98 win over the Indiana Pacers.
X-rays on Smart’s ankle were negative, a source told ESPN’s Jeff Goodman. The team said Smart would have an MRI later Friday night.
Smart appeared to trip over Indiana’s Lavoy Allen’s foot and immediately clutched his left ankle after falling to the floor. He was attended to on the court by team doctors before being wheeled to the locker room on a stretcher. The leg was later immobilized.
“It was a scary moment, and then to see him writhing in pain made it even more scary,” Stevens said. “We hope it’s just a sprained ankle, but we don’t know that for sure. Obviously, we’re very concerned about him, number one. And I hope he gets back soon because he’s playing great basketball right now, and it’s unfortunate that he’s out five games into his rookie year. That’s what we hope.”
Stevens said he appreciated the team’s quick action to check on his fallen teammate.
I love being a part of this team, the coach said, and I love being part of a group that feels that way.
The Garden erupted in a chant of “Marcus Smart!” as the Boston players stood around him solemnly. “It was a tough loss,” said forward Jeff Green, “but Marcus is a soldier. He’ll bounce back quickly, and I know he’ll work hard. It’s a tough loss for us.”
Smart, the 6th pick in June’s draft, has established himself as an immediate starter off the bench in Boston’s first four games this season. He has averaged 7.8 ppg., 2.8 rpg., 1.5 apg., 1.5 steal and 21.5 min. per game.
“I will continue to reach out and support him as I always have, but it’s not because I’m a good person, it’s because it’s family,” said Sullinger.
