The Boston Celtics will be without a major cog in the offense during their 2022-23 series finale against the Orlando Magic on Monday, January 23 with the absence of the team’s assist leader, Marcus Smart. Spotrac’s Keith Smith had Smart listed on the injury report for Monday.
Smart has amassed over seven dimes per contest during the current campaign, upping his playmaking while his shooting efficiency sits at a career-high. He recently was held to just 16 minutes in a start against the Toronto Raptors on January 21, not appearing in the second half as he sat out with an ankle injury.
Smart’s initial X-rays returned negative, though it is widely believed that his status against the Miami Heat on Tuesday is doubtful at best.
The Boston Celtics will have a chance to evaluate their backcourt ahead of trade deadline against Magic
Not only will starting floor general Marcus Smart be in street clothes on Monday, but Malcolm Brogdon was also present on the injury report due to unspecified personal reasons. That will give the Boston Celtics a chance to evaluate their other backcourt options.
Payton Pritchard would likely be in line for big-time minutes, especially after putting on a heroic effort on Saturday against the Toronto Raptors after Smart went out with an injury. Derrick White would probably start at the 1, giving Joe Mazzulla more evidence on whether or not he deserves to hold a starting spot for the rest of the season and the playoffs.
JD Davison will also be on hand, but he has yet to receive anything more than garbage time minutes so far in his rookie season. Davison has largely gotten his reps with the G-League Maine Celtics.
While it is never ideal to be missing multiple members of a position group, the Cs have a healthy lead in the Eastern Conference. Gauging the importance of Pritchard as trade season looms could be more important to the team in the long-term.