Breaking News: Marcus Smart has finally Gives Celtics Fans Another Reason To Smile

Many Boston Celtics fans were disappointed when they learned that the team had traded veteran guard Marcus Smart in the offseason. Smart was part of a three-team trade that resulted in the return of center Kristaps Porzingis, who has been instrumental to Boston’s success this season.

On Tuesday, January 9, Smart injured his right ring finger during a victory over the Dallas Mavericks, causing another setback for Celtics fans. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Smart will be out for six weeks, which means he will be unable to play when his Memphis Grizzlies visit Boston for the only time this season on February 4. Although he will not be playing, Smart told a Boston reporter that he will be in town for the game, allowing Celtics fans to commemorate Smart’s time in Boston.

Gary Washburn says Marcus Smart will make the trip to Boston.

Though he’s still recovery from a right ring finger injury and won’t play, Marcus Smart tells me he’ll be in Boston for the #Grizzlies game at TD Garden on Feb. 4. # Celtics

— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) January 25, 2024

When the NBA schedule was released in August, many Celtics fans purchased tickets for the game against the Grizzlies to see Smart face his former team for the first time at TD Garden. Those hopes appeared dashed when Charania took to X with his injury post on Smart on January 11, 2024.

“Memphis Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart has sustained a severe right ring finger injury and will be sidelined for approximately six weeks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium,” Charania wrote in a tweet. “Another difficult injury blow in season for the Grizzlies.”

Smart has been the Celtics’ heart and soul since they selected him sixth overall in the 2014 NBA draft. Smart, who was always diving for loose balls and taking charges, quickly became a fan favorite. Celtics fans were disappointed to see him leave, but thrilled to see him return.

According to Boston Globe reporter Gary Washburn, Smart will be in the building but not on the court when the Memphis Grizzlies visit Boston.

“Though he’s still recovering from a right ring finger injury and will not play, Marcus Smart tells me he’ll be in Boston for the #Grizzlies game at TD Garden on Feb. 4,” Washburn wrote on X on Wednesday, January 24.

Celtics fans are eager to see Smart back in Boston.

Washburn’s post made many Celtics fans happy. Although he was never an All-Star, Smart spent nine seasons in Boston and was the epitome of a team leader. Nobody played harder than Oklahoma State’s 6-foot-3 point guard. He brought tenacity and toughness to the Celtics, which endeared him to local fans.

Many of those fans responded to Washburn’s post.

“YES!!!!! “My husband and I are traveling from Oklahoma to Boston next weekend specifically for the Marcus return game,” one Smart fan wrote. “Was worried he wouldn’t be there at all.”

Another was relieved that the large sum of money he had spent on a ticket would not be wasted.

“At least my $435 ticket won’t be a TOTAL waste,” he wrote in an email.

“I’ll be chopping onions,” another user commented.

Although Smart is no longer a Celtic, he will undoubtedly feel like one when the Grizzlies visit.

Mike Thomas is a veteran sports reporter who covers the NBA for Heavy.com, focusing on the Boston Celtics. He previously worked as an NBA and NFL writer for Sportscasting and served as Sports Editor for The Herald News in Fall River, Massachusetts, for 16 years. More on Mike Thomas.