Celtics to list Smart as probable for Game 3

BOSTON — All signs are pointing to Marcus Smart making his return to the Boston Celtics‘ lineup for Game 3 against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday.

Celtics coach Ime Udoka on Friday said that Smart, who missed Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series after reaggravating a right quad contusion in Game 1, would be listed as probable and that the guard was doing “much better” after going through practice and on-court work Thursday.

“Went through shootaround today, walked through, got some extra work in, and he will be listed as probable,” Udoka said of Smart, who said Thursday that there was a “strong likelihood” that he would be available on Saturday.

Smart, who missed six games because of the quad injury in January, played through the injury in Game 1. However, he was unable to go in Game 2 on Tuesday because of the fluid building around his knee. Without Smart, the Celtics still put on a dominant performance, beating the Bucks 109-86, to even the series.

“My guys know, anybody who knows me understands that if I’m gonna miss a game, especially a playoff game, somethings really gotta be really wrong,” Smart said about missing Game 2.