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The Celtics may be without a key piece of their lineup for a good chunk of the NBA Playoffs after Marcus Smart suffered an oblique
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski originally reported that Smart suffered a torn oblique on his left side and could be sidelined for the first and second rounds of the playoffs.
Marcus Smart has suffered a torn oblique on left side and could be sidelined for the first two rounds of the playoffs, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 10, 2019
The Celtics confirmed Smart's long-term absence, saying Smart suffered a "partial avulsion of his left oblique abdominal muscle off of his iliac crest."
The team said Smart is expected to return to basketball activities in four to six weeks.
Smart was injured during the Celtics' loss against the Magic in the second-to-last game of the regular season, with the team originally calling the injury a left hip contusion.
>>PREVIOUS: Magic rally past Celtics, earn 1st playoff berth in 7 years
The Celtics will open up the postseason against the Pacers, with the series likely starting on Sunday due to the Bruins' home playoff matchup against the Maple Leafs on Saturday.
Cox Media Group
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