Marcus Smart is back. The Celtics guard told reporters on Wednesday that he has been cleared to return and expects to play Thursday against the Nets, barring any late setbacks.
Smart has missed the last 18 games since suffering a tear in his left calf on Jan. 30 against the Lakers. The Celtics went 5-9 in their first 14 games without him, but then found a groove with four straight wins leading into the All-Star break.
Smart was third on the team in minutes per game prior to the injury, trailing only Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. He was averaging a career-high 13.1 points and 6.1 assists per game.
Smart said he will be on a minutes restriction on Thursday, which was expected.
In other Celtics injury news, Brad Stevens told reporters that 2019 first-round pick Romeo Langford has been cleared to play and could have returned Thursday, but that he is currently in health and safety protocols and therefore still unavailable as of now.
Langford has yet to play this season after undergoing surgery on his wrist during the offseason.
