Smart banged out nine points (3-12 FG, 2-8 3Pt), nine assists, three rebounds and one steal across 32 minutes in Monday's 117-101 Game 1 win over the Sixers.

EDGE Analysis

Smart is the rare veteran who can shoot three of 12, yet have a good game. His third quarter, old-fashioned three-point play over Joel Embiid brought the TD Garden crowd to their feet and sparked a second half run during which Philly was never able to muster a comeback. Smart got the start due to Jaylen Brown's hamstring injury. Brown is proclaiming he'll be ready for Thursday's Game 2, so Smart will probably return to his first-off-the-bench role, assuming the four-year veteran is able to shake off repeated injuries to his thumb. Smart fiddled with his right hand thumb padding throughout the game. Monday marked Smart's fourth game back from hand surgery. Expect more poor shooting, but stellar defensive play from Smart during Thursday's Game 2 contest.

Smart will draw the start Monday against the 76ers in place of the injured Jaylen Brown, Jay King of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Jaylen Brown out of Monday's game with a hamstring injury, Marcus Smart will jump into the starting five. Smart has played in just three games since a thumb injury caused him to miss Boston's 19 previous games. He's averaging 27.7 minutes in those three playoff games, however Brown's absence will likely lead to an increased role Monday. If Brown is forced to miss more action, Smart would likely continue to start in his place.

Coach Brad Stevens said Thursday that Smart can play up to 35 minutes in Game 6 against the Bucks, Jay King of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smart, who had been out since March 11 with a right thumb injury, returned for Tuesday's Game 5 victory and posted nine points, five rebounds, four assists and three blocks across 25 minutes off the bench. It appears the Celtics are happy with the way Smart came out of the contest and he will likely see even more minutes Thursday. That 35 minutes, however, is a firm limit according to Stevens.

Smart provided nine points (2-7 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 5-5 FT), five rebounds, four assists, three blocks and one steal across 25 minutes during a 92-87 win over the Bucks on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

In his first game since March 11, Smart was quite good as he hauled in an impressive all-around line. He was given 25 minutes, so his workload wasn't very limited. Smart will figure to be a key piece for as long as the team remains in the postseason.

Smart (thumb) will play in Game 5 against the Bucks on Tuesday, Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smart is set to return to the lineup a little sooner than expected Tuesday after going through morning shootaround without any issues. Coach Brad Stevens did say a final check on Smart would be made following pregame warmups, so despite being cleared at this point, it would be smart to keep on eye on his status all the way up until tip-off just to be sure. What sort of workload the 24-year-old guard will have in his first game back is somewhat unclear as well, which makes him a very risky option for Tuesday's DFS slate.

Smart (thumb) has been physically cleared to take the floor for Tuesday's Game 5 against the Bucks, with the official word on his status coming after he tests things during morning shootaround , Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smart has made unexpected progress over the past couple days, making it very possible he plays during Game 5. From a medical perspective, he's been cleared to take the floor. However, he'll test his pain level during morning shootaround to determine whether or not he'll actually end up playing.

Smart (thumb) has been upgraded to questionable for Tuesday's Game 5 against the Bucks.

EDGE Analysis

Reports over the weekend suggested Smart would meet with a doctor to potentially get back on the floor for Game 6, but he's apparently made substantial progress in the last few days -- at least enough to warrant the "questionable" tag. It's still very much unclear if Smart will be cleared, but the Celtics should issue some sort of update following shootaround Tuesday morning. Smart hasn't played in more than a calendar month, last taking the court in a loss to the Pacers on March 11.

Smart (thumb) is meeting with a doctor in New York on Tuesday in hopes to be cleared for a possible Game 6, Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Up to this point, Smart has been cleared for everything except full-contact work. If he gets the nod from the doctor, he could make his return during Game 6, assuming the series goes that far.

Smart has been cleared to resume all basketball activities other than live-action, full-contact work.

EDGE Analysis

Smart was cleared to shoot in early April, but has added everything else to his repertoire since then, minus full-contact. Coach Brad Stevens noted that once Smart makes that leap, that he'll also subsequently be cleared for game action. So, depending on how long the series against Milwaukee lasts, it's a possibility that Smart makes a return during the first round.

Smart (thumb) will be re-evaluated next week and could possibly return to action by April 27.

EDGE Analysis

This news isn't anything too new, but it serves to affirm what the team was already hopeful about -- that Smart should be able to return by the end of the first round or beginning of the second round of the playoffs. More information should be available once he's re-evaluated.