Is Celtics' Marcus Smart playing tonight vs. Heat? Guard's injury status for Game 1 of 2022 NBA Playoffs

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Marcus Smart Boston Celtics
NBA Entertainment

The Boston Celtics will be starting the Eastern Conference Finals without the heart and soul of their team.

Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart was initially listed as questionable to play in Game 1 against the Miami Heat on Tuesday before being downgraded. Smart suffered what the Celtics are calling a "mid-foot sprain" in Boston's Game 7 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday. 

According to Celtics coach Ime Udoka, Smart is mainly bruised, but overall, is progressing in a positive direction.

"He took a pretty bad fall. Got bent up. He has a mid-foot sprain," Udoka said about Smart's status on Monday. "Pretty tender and sore right now, but we'll get him around-the-clock treatment and right now he'll be listed as questionable."

MORE: Celtics vs. Heat - Breaking down 2022 Eastern Conference Finals

Will Smart be in the lineup for Game 1? Here is what we know about his status.

Is Marcus Smart playing tonight vs. Heat?

Hours before Game 1, the Celtics announced that Smart would be listed as out.

Through 10 playoff games, Smart is averaging 15.0 points, 6.2 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game. 

If Smart is unable to play, expect Celtics guards Payton Pritchard and Derrick White to get an increased role against the Heat. 

MORE: Brown says Celtics have 'poise' for revenge in Conference Finals rematch

What channel is Celtics vs. Heat on?

  • Date: Tuesday, May 17
  • TV channel: ESPN
  • Live streaming: Sling TV

Game 1 of the second-round series between the Heat and Celtics will be broadcast on ESPN. Mike Breen will serve as the play-by-play voice in the series alongside analysts Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson. Lisa Salters will serve as the sideline reporter while retired official Steve Javie will provide rules analysis.

The game can be live streamed on Sling TV.

Viewers in the U.S. can stream every NBA Playoff game live on SLING TV. With the SLING Orange Sports Extra package, get $10 off your first month now with access to ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, TNT and NBATV. NBA Playoff games on ABC are simulcast on ESPN3, which is included with SLING Orange, available for $35 per month including $25 the first month for new subscribers.

MORE: Watch the NBA Playoffs on Sling TV

What time does Celtics vs. Heat start?

  • Date: Tuesday, May 17
  • Time: 8:30 p.m. ET | 5:30 p.m. PT

The Heat and Celtics will get the Eastern Conference Finals underway Tuesday, May 17. The game will tip off shortly after 8:30 p.m. ET and be played at the FTX Arena in Miami.

Celtics vs. Heat series schedule

Here is the full schedule for the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals.

Date Game Time (ET) TV channel
May 17 Game 1 8:30 p.m. ESPN
May 19 Game 2 8:30 p.m. ESPN
May 21 Game 3 8:30 p.m. ABC
May 23 Game 4 8:30 p.m. ABC
May 25 Game 5* 8:30 p.m. ESPN
May 27 Game 6* 8:30 p.m. ESPN
May 29 Game 7* 8:30 p.m. ESPN

*If necessary

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Ananth Pandian is a seasoned marketer and copywriter with over a decade of experience working for premium brands and publishers like Nike, SLAM, and CBS Sports.
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