The Boston Celtics have officially downgraded veteran point guard Marcus Smart to a scratch for Friday night’s road contest with the Philadelphia 76ers, having gone into the NBA’s health and safety protocols with a positive test return for COVID-19.
Smart was among the first players in the league and the first Celtics player to come down with the viral malady when the pandemic first began in March 2020 but has since been lucky enough to have dodged any further encounters with the scourge. With a healthy Dennis Schroder likely to step into his starting role and second-year guard Payton Pritchard available to play, Boston should be in solid if diminished shape with their backcourt rotations.
It is not clear if Smart’s case is symptomatic or what the timetable will be for his return, but check back to the Celtics Wire for more updates on this developing story.
Everything you need to know for Boston’s road tilt with the Sixers Friday. https://t.co/7dt57BKsyF
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) January 14, 2022
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