Celtics guard Marcus Smart intends to play Saturday in Game 3 against the Bucks. David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Celtics' Marcus Smart: 'Strong likelihood' he plays Game 3 vs. Bucks

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 5/5/22

Boston Celtics general manager Brad Stevens said Thursday morning that the team was " hopeful, but not certain " that they'd be getting recently-crowned Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart back for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday. When speaking with the media about his injury on Thursday afternoon, Smart's response struck an even more optimistic tone.

Marcus Smart talks about his quad injury, and whether he'll be ready for Game 3 on Saturday.

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The Celtics dropped Game 1 at home vs. the Bucks on Sunday, but bounced back with a 23-point victory at the TD Garden on Tuesday. The series shifts to Milwaukee for Game 3 and Game 4, set for 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday and 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, respectively, before returning to Boston for Game 5 on Wednesday.

Smart led the Celtics in assists (5.9) and steals per game (1.7) in the regular season, the former of which was a new career high. He also averaged 12.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 32.3 minutes per game across 71 contests (all of them starts), while posting a .418/.331/.793 shooting line.

The sixth-overall draft selection in 2014, Smart has produced 15.2 points, 6.8 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game across 36.0 minutes per contest in five playoff tilts this spring.

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