Marcus Smart to miss multiple weeks with foot injury

Marcus Smart to miss multiple weeks with foot injury originally appeared on
NBC Sports Boston

Marcus Smart’s much-anticipated return to Boston will have to wait. The former Celtics guard, now playing for the Memphis Grizzlies, is expected to miss the next three to five weeks due to a left foot sprain. The injury occurred when he landed on the foot of Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves during a defensive play, forcing him to be helped off the court.

The news confirms that Smart will not be available for the upcoming game against the Celtics, which would have been his first matchup against his former team since being traded in June. The Celtics traded Smart to the Grizzlies as part of a three-team deal that brought Kristaps Porzingis to Boston from the Washington Wizards.

Despite the setback, Smart has been performing well with the Grizzlies, averaging 12.5 points, 5.0 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.0 steals in his first 11 games. However, his new team’s struggles have been evident, with the Grizzlies currently at the bottom of the Western Conference standings with a 2-9 record.

In Smart’s absence, the Celtics have been thriving with Jrue Holiday, who joined the team as his replacement in the backcourt. Boston boasts an impressive 9-2 record and currently leads the Eastern Conference standings heading into Friday night’s game.

The Celtics-Grizzlies game, originally set for Sunday, will take place at 8 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on NBC Sports Boston.