Celtics' Ainge disputes report that Smart has torn thumb tendon
Boston Celtics president Danny Ainge disputed a report Monday that guard Marcus Smart has a torn tendon in his right thumb. Ainge insisted the team won't know for "a couple of days" about the extent of Smart's injury, according to the Boston Herald's Mark Murphy.
The Vertical's Shams Charania reported earlier Monday that Smart had a torn tendon and would be out indefinitely. Smart underwent tests and is now seeking a second opinion, according to Murphy.
Smart jammed the thumb Sunday night against the Indiana Pacers. Still, he played 36 minutes in the loss, scoring a season-high 20 points.
"Sore, but it will be alright," Smart said, per Murphy. "It's like a sprain right now."
It would be good news for the Celtics. Kyrie Irving only played 16 minutes Sunday, leaving with knee soreness. While the Celtics reportedly don't expect Irving to miss significant time, the team may have already lost rotation member Daniel Theis for the campaign with a torn meniscus.
Smart missed 11 games earlier this season after hurting his right hand punching a glass picture frame in a Los Angeles hotel. He later said he came close to severing tendons in that incident.
The Celtics remain in second place in the East, 3.5 games behind the Toronto Raptors.