BOSTON -- Celtics guard Marcus Smart returned to action in Game 5 of Boston's first-round series with the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night.
Celtics coach Brad Stevens said Smart felt fine after engaging in some contact work following Tuesday morning's shootaround. Smart came off the bench and saw his first action with 4:08 left in the first quarter.
Smart had been sidelined since March 11 when he tore the UCL in his right thumb while diving for a loose ball. He initially targeted a return later this month but flew to New York on Monday and was cleared by his doctor to engage in contact activities.
The Celtics hope Smart can add a jolt of defensive intensity to a team that hasn't played to the standard it set while leading the NBA in defensive rating during the regular season.
"Obviously, we're better with Marcus Smart," Stevens said before Game 5. "I don't think that's debatable."
Stevens wasn't sure about a minutes restriction for Smart but noted that he was unlikely to play big minutes in his first game back. Stevens suggested the minutes will be under 35.
Smart traveled with the Celtics for Games 3 and 4 in Milwaukee, when the Bucks evened the series at 2, and had engaged in everything but live action in recent weeks while waiting for clearance for contact activities.
With that clearance Monday, he was also cleared for game action.