Report: Celtics hopeful Marcus Smart can return in playoffs

The Boston Celtics will be without Marcus Smart for at least the remainder of the regular season, but they are hoping the hard-nosed point guard can return in time to help them at some point in the playoffs.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Smart was scheduled to undergo surgery on Friday to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb. While we may not see him again this year, the Celtics remain hopeful.

Celtics guard Marcus Smart will undergo surgery on his thumb today, but there's hope he can return sometime in the playoffs, league source tells ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 16, 2018

Smart is an incredibly valuable role player for Boston, and not having him for the entire postseason could be the difference between reaching the NBA Finals and an early exit. While he is shooting just 36.7 percent from the field and has been known to force ill-advised 3-pointers, Smart is extremely valuable on defense and always gives max effort. Those are the types of players that make a massive difference in the postseason.

While Smart’s thumb injury isn’t quite as embarrassing as the hand injury he suffered before it, the timing couldn’t be much worse for the Celtics. It will be interesting to see if the 24-year-old is able to contribute at some point in the playoffs.