MILWAUKEE -- Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart will have his injured thumb reevaluated Tuesday in New York and, if cleared for contact, believes he could be available for a potential Game 6 of an Eastern Conference first-round series against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Smart underwent surgery to repair a torn UCL in the thumb of his shooting hand last month. He had previously expressed hope to be back as early as Game 7 of the first round but believes he could return to game action sooner.
"Right now, [a Game 6 return is] the plan and we're still on the same track," Smart said before Game 4 on Sunday. "I've been doing everything but contact, so I will be able to go and start that."
Smart said he believes the thumb is ready for contact.
"The surgery did its job," said Smart, who injured himself March 11 while diving for a loose ball in a game against the Indiana Pacers. "Thumb is holding up well. I feel ready, I feel strong enough to get back out there. I'm just waiting on the OK."
The Celtics own a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series against the Bucks, but they are playing without four key players in Smart, Gordon Hayward, Kyrie Irving, and Daniel Theis.
Celtics coach Brad Stevens said Saturday that Smart would also be ready for game action once he is cleared for contact.
Smart has been getting up shots before each playoff game and does his typical strength and conditioning work. He'll wear a splint when he returns but said it doesn't hinder his shooting.
"Actually [the splint and tape is] real comfortable. It feels like nothing's there," Smart said. "To have that comfortability, especially in my dominant hand, my shooting hand, that's a good feeling to have."
