Photo Credit: AP Photo/John Raoux

Marcus Smart Reveals Severity Of Ankle Injury Ahead Of The NBA Finals: “Thankful To Still Be Walking”

Marcus Smart injured his ankle in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference Finals matchup against the Miami Heat, when the 28-year old Celtics guard landed awkwardly on his ankle after jumping up to get an offensive rebound. He had to be helped off the court before making an improbable return moments later.

Smart missed Game 4 of the ECF, but managed to finish the rest of the series to help the Celtics slip past the Heat in seven games. He averaged 16.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 6.2 assists on 36.0% shooting from the field in the series.

Ahead of Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Smart now revealed the severity of his ankle injury and opened up how he’s been dealing with it amid this crucial time of their playoff campaign.

“The ankle, pretty serious injury,” Smart unveiled to reporters on Wednesday. “I’m thankful to be able to play, let alone still be walking. It hurt, but my mom always told me, if you are going to be on the court, you can’t make excuses. If you’re hurt, then sit your tail down. If I’m going to be out there, no matter how much pain I’m in, I can’t let it affect me.”