MILWAUKEE -- Marcus Smart will meet with his doctor in New York City on Tuesday in hopes he will be cleared for a potential Game 6 and/or 7 later this week in the Celtics-Bucks series.
The point guard has missed the past five weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right thumb. His original target return date was April 27th, which would put him available for a Game 7 (if necessary). However, Smart's rehab has gone well enough that he will be ready for a check up on Tuesday.
"I’m antsy, real antsy, staying in the back, trying to keep myself from going crazy. Just trying to stay in shape," Smart said.
The 23-year-old has been shooting and working out on his own over the past couple weeks with a splint but he has not been cleared for contact yet by his doctor. That could happen on Tuesday though, which would give him a couple days to ramp things up before a potential Game 6 in Milwaukee on Thursday night.
"I think the thumb, the surgery did its job," Smart said. "Thumb is holding up well. I feel ready, I feel strong enough to get back out there. I’m just waiting on the okay."
BSJ Analysis: If Smart does return to the fold this week, he'll likely be wearing some sort of sleeve or brace on the thumb for protection.
While that could impact his shooting and ball control, there's no question Boston could desperately use his presence in this series, particularly from a defensive standpoint. The Bucks have had their way from a scoring standpoint, specifically with Khris Middleton, who is shooting over 60 percent from the field in this series. Smart gives them another body to throw at him and make him uncomfortable, which the C's have not been able to succeed at over the first three games.
