Smart returns to starting lineup
White cleared to play after rupturing eardrum
Celtics interim coach Joe Mazzulla had a simple answer for why Marcus Smart played in the team’s final game before the All-Star break instead of taking another week off to heal his injured right ankle.
Why not?
“He checked all the boxes,” Mazzulla said pregame. “He’s worked hard to get back, got his range of motion back, swelling is down, pain has decreased. He’s very confident to play, so I’m happy to have him back.”
Hours later, Mazzulla had to be elated.
Smart finished with nine points, seven rebounds, six assists and a half-dozen steals Wednesday against the Pistons in his return from an 11-game absence with the right ankle sprain he suffered last month at Toronto. The Celtics went 6-5 without Smart, including an overtime loss at Milwaukee on Tuesday when Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Al Horford were also out. Tatum (illness) and Horford (right knee) returned to action Wednesday, while center Robert Williams (left ankle) was ruled out.
As for Smart, he said it was ultimately his decision to return.
“I’ve had a couple days, a good solid week of work putting (the ankle) through some tests, workouts. Everything has exceeded (expectations), and it feels pretty good so gonna try to give it a try,” Smart said. “That way, coming back after AllStar break, my body’s used to it a little bit, back into the real game action instead of just playing one-on-one and stuff like that.”
Smart entered tip-off averaging 11.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and a career-high 7.2 assists. The reigning Defensive
Player of the Year has thrived as the Celtics’ primary point guard and shot 42.2% from the field, including 33.3% on triples. Smart has started every game he’s appeared in this season.
White flew back Wednesday
After injuring his ear in Tuesday’s loss to the Bucks, Derrick White remained in Milwaukee overnight and was diagnosed Wednesday morning with a ruptured eardrum. According to Mazzulla, local ear specialists cleared White to fly and return for Wednesday’s game. He arrived in time for pre-game shoot-around and played against Detroit, recording 11 points and six assists.
White, who was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week on Monday, averaged more than 20 points per game while Smart was out. Mazzulla noted White’s impact has been felt all over the court, not strictly on the offensive end.
“It’s not just one thing,” Mazzulla said. “It’s not shooting, it’s not just offense or just defense. He just has an effect on different areas of the game, and one thing that remains constant is (his) effort. And so we need him to play at a high level, regardless of whether we’re healthy or not for us to be a dynamic team, and he’s done that.”
On Tuesday night, White spread credit to his teammates when asked about his extended breakout.
“We’ve got a lot of good players on this team. It’s probably the deepest and best team I’ve been a part of,” he said. “So whoever’s out, we always have a nextman-up mentality to step up. Obviously there were some plays down the stretch we want back, but every time we step out there we feel like we have a good enough team to win no matter against who.”
Mazzulla ready for ASG
Hours before tipping off against the Pistons, Mazzulla repeatedly declined to look ahead to the All-Star break and the coaching assignment that awaits him as the leader of Team Giannis this weekend.
But Mazzulla did reiterate previous comments about what it will mean for him and his assistants to partiipate in the 72nd NBA AllStar Game.
“It means a lot, says a lot about the type of players you have, says a lot about the type of staff you have, especially with what we (experienced) at the beginning of the year,” Mazzulla said. “Our ability to kind of keep our eye on what’s most important, which is our team and getting better, so it means a lot for them, and I’m excited to share that with them.
“And then my family, they’ve sacrificed a lot for me to be where I am and for us to be here. So I’m excited to see how they experienced it, as well. And I think it will be fun.”
Schedule look-ahead
The Celtics will return to action with a three-game road trip starting next
Thursday at Indiana. After a 7 p.m. tip-off against the Pacers, they will visit Philadelphia and the Knicks. The Celtics’ next home game is scheduled for March 1 against Cleveland.
Of their remaining 23 games, only 10 are at TD Garden, though the C’s figure to have a soft landing with their final home contests against San Antonio, Utah, Toronto (2) and Atlanta.