MILWAUKEE -- Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart was back in the starting lineup for Game 3 against the Milwaukee Bucks after missing the previous game with a right quad contusion.
Smart had 9 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists in 29 minutes of action in Boston's 101-103 loss.
Smart previously dealt with a right quad contusion earlier this season. He missed six games with the same injury in January.
On Thursday, Smart told reporters he was hit back-to-back times in the same spot as the one that previously held him out.
Smart, the 2021-22 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, was listed as probable Friday, then elevated to available roughly 75 minutes before tipoff.
He went through his pregame workout roughly three hours before tipoff, testing out the quad.
Boston coach Ime Udoka said Smart would not be under any restrictions.
The best-of-seven series moves to Milwaukee with the teams tied 1-1.
