When Marcus Smart returns to the Boston Celtics from a thumb injury, he will do so at the urging of his mother, who has been diagnosed with cancer.
Smart, who is recovering from surgery to repair a torn ligament, found out last week about his mother’s bone marrow cancer diagnosis. While speaking with family members, Smart said his mother wants to see him back on the court and that it would put a smile on her face to see him doing what he loves.
"I talked to a lot of my friends and family members and was telling them basketball is like my eye of the storm. That’s where I’m the most calm. I can think to myself and that relieves all that pressure from me. But it is hard to leave her." Marcus Smart on his mother's cancer
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) April 17, 2018
More from Marcus Smart: "She told me she’d rather me be here than back there. (She wants me) doing what I love to do. She loves watching me play. She said that would put a smile on her face if I get back healthy and get back on the court." #Celtics
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) April 17, 2018
Smart has been sidelined since the Celtics’ game against the Bucks on March 11. He injured the thumb diving for a loose ball. Smart has progressed to doing shooting drills and there is hope he can return prior to the end of the Celtics’ first round series, if it is an extended one.
