The Celtics got some bad news before Tuesday's Game 2 against the Bucks, as Marcus Smart has been ruled out due to a right thigh contusion.
Smart suffered the injury during Sunday's Game 1, but finished the game. He was previously listed as questionable for Tuesday. Smart suffered a shoulder injury in Game 1 as well, but also returned from that. The shoulder injury is not mentioned on the team's official injury report.
Boston coach Ime Udoka said on Monday that it was more than just a pain tolerance issue for Smart, and that there was the possibility of his movement being limited as a result of the injury.
"It's bruised," Udoka said. "I would say more than just pain tolerance, though. It's something that's going to be stiff. He got hit twice there and he's had this in the past where he had to miss some games obviously this year. So it's more so than just pain tolerance, there's some tightness and some restriction with movement as well."
As Udoka referenced, Smart missed six games in January due to a right thigh contusion. It's unclear if the current injury is related to that one at all.
If there's any silver lining, it's that Game 3 is not until Saturday, so Smart will have more time than usual between games to continue to heal. Udoka told reporters that the team doesn't believe Smart's injury is anything long-term and that they anticipate him returning for Game 3.
Of course, that doesn't help the Celtics for Tuesday night, as they try to avoid falling into an 0-2 hole before heading to Milwaukee.
Udoka said Derrick White will start at point guard in Smart's place Tuesday.
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