Celtics notebook: Marcus Smart (eye) out vs. Dallas, Vincent Poirier (broken finger) to have surgery, Tacko called up

A host of injury updates today as the Celtics wrap up a five-day break in Boston and somehow come out of it less healthy than they began.

Marcus Smart out against Dallas

The reserve guard will miss his fourth straight game and did not travel to Dallas as he recovers from an eye infection that has spread to both eyes.

"He hasn’t been able to do much," Brad Stevens said. "Am I worried about it as far as him getting back on the court and playing hard and competing and being a little winded? No. He’s one of those guys that can get in shape in like a 20-minute run and the rest of us look at him like, ‘What’s going on with that? Why can’t I do that?’ He can get back in quicker. But we just want him to get back on his feet and working out and feeling good. His eyes are still uncomfortable. That’s the biggest thing. I talked to him yesterday for a while and he’s antsy. He’s chomping at the bit to get back at it."

Smart's next chance for a return will come on Friday against the Pistons, which would give the C's their first chance to have a rotation that is at full strength since Gordon Hayward suffered a broken hand.

"I hate to say this but I think we’re used to it here," Stevens said of the injuries. "It’s just the way it’s been. I hope that we can have those guys together as the season continues on. Smart’s thing is not a long-term thing but all these guys we just play with who’s available and try to be the best we can be. It offers opportunity for other guys at that position, which I think is important, so that when we do have a full slate of guys everybody is a little bit better and has a little bit more experience."

Vincent Poirier suffers broken right pinky

The big man looked to have a chance to step in the rotation after Rob Williams suffered a bone bruise but that possibility is on hold for now after the seven-footer suffered a broken left pinky on Monday. He will undergo surgery tomorrow and is expected to return in roughly six weeks according to the team.

Poirier was battling teammate Daniel Theis for a rebound at Monday's practice when he broke the finger.

"I know something went wrong because I heard a little crack," he said. "It never happened to me before so I was like, 'Something's bad.' When I came back on the court, I carried the ball and I knew it was broken."

Without Poirier and Rob Williams (out at least three weeks), the Celtics will call up two-way center Tacko Fall for the remainder of this week to give the team added depth against the Mavericks and Pistons. Grant Williams is also in line for more minutes at center against stretch bigs with Williams and Poirier sidelined.

"I think that will be, some games you need those guys more than others as far as that position," Stevens said. "We will play Grant there some as well. So minus calling Tacko up, we’ll have three guys that can rotate in at the 5."

Tough test vs. Mavericks

Dallas will be without star point guard Luka Doncic (sprained ankle) for a rematch with Boston but his absence did not slow them down much on Monday night as the Mavs snapped the Bucks' 18-game winning streak with a victory at the Fiserv Forum.

"By our numbers, I think with Doncic they’re the No. 1 offense in NBA history, if the season ended today. And without him they’re still No. 1 in the league," Stevens said. "They’re ridiculous. Extremely well-coached, incredible execution team. Everybody knows what they do best and they don’t get outside of it. Their percentages as individuals are amazing, when you look at their two-point shooting and three-point shooting, and they all just make the right read over and over and over. They know who does what best and they all really look for those things in each other. It’s a special offense and obviously Rick is a great coach, but this is a hard group to play against no matter if Doncic is playing or not. They were great last night. That game was unbelievable."