Celtics' Smart, Williams expected to return Thursday

Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Celtics' Marcus Smart, Robert Williams expected to return Thursday vs. Nets

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 2/23/22

The Boston Celtics will apparently be at full strength when they play their first game out of the All-Star break on Thursday against the Brooklyn Nets.

Ime Udoka said both Marcus Smart and Robert Williams practiced today and that "both looked good. We expect them to play tomorrow."
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) February 23, 2022

Smart has been dealing with an ankle injury and missed the team's most recent game on Feb. 16 against the Detroit Pistons. Williams is nursing a calf ailment and has sat out the last two contests.

Last Wednesday's loss to the Pistons leading into All-Star weekend snapped a nine-game winning streak by the Celtics, one that included four victories by at least 30 points. The stretch of hot play, which has also seen Boston come out on top in 11 of its last 13 contests, has resulted in the team moving up to sixth in the Eastern Conference standings at 34-26.

A two-time member of the All-Defensive First Team, Smart is currently leading the Celtics in assists (5.3) and steals per game (1.8). In the midst of a breakout fourth NBA season, meanwhile, Williams leads Boston in rebounds (9.7) and blocks per game (2.2), while pacing the group in field goal percentage (73.2%) as well.

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