Celtics News: Marcus Smart Could Return from Thumb Injury in a Game 7 vs. Bucks

Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart said he's on track to play in a potential Game 7 of the team's first-round series against the Milwaukee Bucks.

"Today was the first day with the new splint on to actually get out here and do something. So the thumb felt well," Smart told reporters.

"We're on track for [a return in the] next three weeks, possibly Game 7 of the first round, [but] definitely second round. So we're on the right path."

Smart, 24, suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his thumb March 11 against the Indiana Pacers. His absence, along with the injuries to Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving, left Boston going into the postseason shorthanded. He participated in shooting drills Sunday as his rehabilitation continues.

"Like I said, we're optimistic, but we're not going to rush anything," he said. "We're going to take it slow. So I think I have another doctor's appointment, a checkup, in the next two weeks. We'll see what [the doctor] says. If she clears us to be able to start a little bit earlier, than we might. But as of right now, Game 7 [or the] second round is the [goal]."

Getting Smart back on the floor might not give the Celtics much of the scoring punch they're losing without Hayward and Irving, but he's one of the league's best individual defenders. The Celtics allow him to hound opposing guards all around the floor, and Smart has occasionally had some scoring outbursts.

Having already gotten a Game 1 win over Milwaukee, the likelihood of Smart returning during these playoffs increases with every Celtics victory.