Marcus Smart’s stay on the shelf did not last very long.
After injuring his left ankle just before the start of the regular season, Smart was slated to miss a couple week, and it wasn’t entirely clear when he would return. As it turns out, though, he only missed the Boston Celtics’ first three games and will return in time for Wednesday’s matchup with the Chicago Bulls, per Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe:
Marcus Smart said he will make his season debut Wednesday against the #Bulls. #Celtics
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) October 31, 2016
Though Smart didn’t miss much time by any stretch, expect him to be on some sort of a loose minutes limit. That’s just how the Celtics operate.
Then again, they may more inclined to throw him into the fire right away, without reservations or restrictions. Their defense needs him.
Boston ranks in the top three of points scored per 100 possessions through its first three games, so offense isn’t the problem. But the defense is letting up 105.8 points per 100 possessions, a bottom-10 mark.
Yes, it’s still early. Very early. But the Celtics’ versatility and discipline on the less glamorous end was supposed to carry them toward a top-three finish in defensive efficiency. And as someone who has recently started defending positions 1 through 4, Smart is a huge part of that projection.
Now that he’s back, the Celtics should be able to settle into their anticipated defensive identity.
