Marcus Smart seeking second opinion on thumb injury
The timing could hardly be worse, too. With Jaylen Brown working his way through the concussion protocol, Al Horford ill, Kyrie Irving resting a sore knee, Daniel Theis likely done for the season with a torn meniscus, and Gordon Hayward reportedly unlikely to return this season, nearly half the Boston Celtics roster have been dealing with absences in recent days.Here's how @smart_MS3 injured his thumb.— Tomek Kordylewski (@Timi_093) March 12, 2018
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. pic.twitter.com/eatKZrlYen
Smart, who sprained and possibly tore a ligament in his thumb in Sunday's game against the Indiana Pacers, is reportedly seeking another opinion to see if it will require surgery, and will remain out of the lineup until his status is clearer.Danny Ainge disputes report that Smart has a torn tendon, but says team doesn’t yet know if guard will need surgery.— Mark Murphy (@Murf56) March 12, 2018
Boston could, if it is determined Smart, Hayward, Theis, and one other player miss three consecutive games, be granted a hardship exception to sign a player until one of those players is able to return from injury, providing an eighteenth roster spot for them so Boston doesn't need to cut a player. If they decided to keep such a player beyond the scope of the hardship, however, they would be required to let another player go.So, #Celtics:— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) March 12, 2018
Kyrie Irving (left knee soreness) & Al Horford (illness): Day-to-day
Marcus Smart (torn tendon, right thumb) & Jaylen Brown (concussion): Out indefinitely
Gordon Hayward (ankle): Playing with our emotions
Daniel Theis (torn meniscus, left knee): Done for season
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