Celtics Bench Will Need To Step Up With Marcus Smart Sidelined
BOSTON (CBS) – For a few minutes Friday night at the TD Garden, as rookie Marcus Smart was screaming in agony for several minutes on the court following a gruesome ankle injury, many on press row speculated about just how much time the young guard could miss.
Would it be weeks? Months? Could the young guard even be forced miss the entire season like fellow rookie Julius Randle after he suffered a broken leg in his NBA debut? Smart's reaction at the time made the injury look that severe, to the point that Boston's entire roster came out to surround and support him as he lay on the ground.
Head coach Brad Stevens spoke about that moment after the game.
"It was really scary. Then obviously he was writhing in pain, so that makes it even more scary. I'm glad to be a part of [a team that supported Smart]; I'm glad to be a part of a team that feels like that."
"It was very difficult," Jeff Green added. "You hate to see a teammate go down especially when he's playing well. Marcus is a soldier though. He's going to get himself back together quick. I know he's going to work hard to get back. Tough loss for us."
Thankfully for the Celtics, the damage to Smart's ankle wasn't nearly as dramatic as had been anticipated. The team announced Saturday that the rookie suffered a sprained left ankle, plus a bone bruise and would be sidelined for 2-3 weeks.
The short recovery timeline is encouraging news for the 20-year-old guard who had been making the most of his minutes off the bench during his first five NBA games.
"Hopefully he can get back sooner rather than later, because he's really playing great basketball," Stevens said after Friday's game. "I'm sure it's really disappointing to be out five games into your rookie year, even if just for a little bit of time."
Without Smart in the fold for the next few weeks, other members of the Celtics bench will get additional opportunities to see regular playing time and contribute. Third string point guard Phil Pressey took advantage of that chance against the Pacers, playing strong minutes in the fourth quarter with Smart sidelined.
"Coach, before every game tells me to stay ready," Pressey said. "Going into the game it's my same mindset like I'm playing 48 minutes. When my name's called my mind says ready and I'm ready to play."
Green praised Pressey and teammate Gerald Wallace who also made his season debut in the fourth quarter when Smart went down for their readiness.
"I think it's just a matter of focus," Green said of being prepared to contribute off the bench at any time. "I think everybody on the bench no matter if they played or didn't play they were focused, they were watching the game to figure out the impact of the game if they got in.
"You saw first-hand guys who are focusing on the game and where they can impact. Saw Gerald (Wallace) come in, the defensive intensity he came in with. The way Phil (Pressey) played on that pick and roll, breaking down their defense it was wonderful to watch."
Both Pressey and Wallace, along with reserve shooting guard Marcus Thornton will see additional work over the next few weeks while Smart's ankle heals. With a tough schedule looming for Boston over the rest of November featuring teams like the Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Memphis Grizzlies, the entire second unit will have to step up to make up for Smart's absence.
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