MIAMI (AP) — Boston was without two starters for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals on Tuesday night, with Al Horford entering the NBA’s health and safety protocols and Marcus Smart unable to play because of a mid-foot sprain.
The Celtics announced those updates about three hours before the series opener against the Miami Heat. Derrick White was added to the starting lineup in Smart’s place, and Grant Williams was starting in place of Horford.
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Boston was already bracing for Smart — the league’s reigning defensive player of the year — to be out, after he injured his foot on Sunday in Game 7 of Boston’s East semifinals win over Milwaukee.