When the Los Angeles Lakers recently visited TD Garden for a Friday night rivalry clash, Marcus Smart was unavailable for the matchup. So were several of the stars on both sides of the NBA's most storied rivalry.
Due to injuries, Smart has returned to Boston four times, but only suited up in one of those tilts against the Celtics. The franchise's former floor general is dealing with a left lumbar muscle strain. He has not played in the Lakers' last six games.
However, his return may be imminent.
"Over the last couple [of] days, he's [gotten] closer," JJ Redick informed reporters earlier this week.