Marcus Smart has had an incredible season, becoming the first guard to win Defensive Player of the Year since Gary Payton. Smart led the stellar Boston offense from the front and has been invaluable in their playoff run. To Boston’s dismay, Smart is playing while injured.
He suffered an ankle injury in the series against the Miami Heat and has been hampered since and has missed playoff games. However, he has been playing and contributing at a high level, going into the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors.
Naturally, there have been questions about his injury and health. He was asked about his status prior to Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors and made a pretty grim revelation, implying him being able to walk right now is a blessing, let alone play basketball:
Marcus Smart on his health heading into Game 1:
“I’m thankful to be able to play, let alone still walk.”
(via The Athletic) pic.twitter.com/KdWq135usX
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 1, 2022
“The ankle is a pretty serious injury. I’m thankful to let alone play and still be walking. It hurt, but my mama always told me if you’re gonna play, you can’t make no excuses.”
All NBA players spend most of their careers in pursuit of reaching the Finals. He can see it on his own team, as Al Horford just ended the longest streak of playoff games played without a Finals appearance. He understands the rarity of the situation that he is in and will try to play on the court if his body allows him to. It looks like it’s been allowing him to do so.
Smart has the unenviable task of slowing down Stephen Curry and the championship-bred Golden State Warriors. His contributions on the defensive end could change the game for the Celtics. If the Warriors can have success despite the play of Smart, this series looks like a different animal altogether. Hopefully, Smart’s health benefits from the five-day rest they’ve just gotten.
