Marcus Smart Returns To Celtics To Defeat Knicks After Knee Injury

Boston Celtics point guard Marcus Smart returned to the basketball court last night against the New York Knicks in a bench role. Smart had been sidelined since November 20 with a knee injury that had him miss the last 18 games.

In his reserve role, he plugged in 13 minutes and scored six points with three rebounds and an assist. When subbing in for the first time, cheers were heard throughout the home crowd in the TD Garden in the minutes he played. Being the team’s point guard, he has stated that he will be whatever role his team needs him to be to win the game and is happy with his role as he gets back to full-game speed. “I felt pretty good,” Smart said. “I did a very good job warming up the body. Getting out there felt good to play with those guys again.” Backup point guard Isaiah Thomas was fond of Smart’s recovery and has helped with his duties while the guard has been out. “[Smart] looked good,” Thomas said. “He hit a few shots. He played the usual defense that he plays. And I was surprised how good he was moving. I can’t wait until he’s back full force.” Head coach Brad Stevens had some inspiring words for Smart as well, saying, “I thought he was good. He played those two six-minute stints; I thought he did pretty well. And gave us a nice lift.”

The Celtics have gone 10-8 since Smart has been hurt and Smart is rather impressed with the play of Thomas and fellow guard Avery Bradley. “Those guys have been playing very well with Isaiah and Avery in the starting lineup, so I don’t want to mess anything up,” Smart said.

The Celtics went on to win the game against the Knicks 100-91 and will see their next game played against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Photo: MADRID, SPAIN – OCTOBER 08: Marcus Smart of Boston Celtics gives instructions to his teammates during the friendlies of the NBA Global Games 2015 basketball match between Real Madrid and Boston Celtics at Barclaycard Center on October 8, 2015 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)