Boston’s Marcus Smart credits full health with improved recent play

Evidently, a calf injury sustained last season has been a major weight on Smart’s play.

Since returning to the team from an extended absence to an extended stay in the NBA’s health and safety protocols following missed time to a thigh contusion, veteran Boston Celtics point guard Marcus Smart has been on an absolute tear.

Evidently thriving in his role as the team’s starting point guard with the ball in his hands and (mostly) good health in his extremities, the Flower Mound native has been putting up 11.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.7 3-points attempts per game at a rate of 37% accuracy. Asked after the Celtics’ 113 – 107 home win over the Charlotte Hornets Wednesday night how much more effort he’d been putting into his game and in particular finishing at the rim, Smart had a parsimonious answer.

“Just getting healthier,” he explained.