Boston Celtics were able to continue their impressive run in the second part of the regular season. But, Marcus Smart’s play and Steph Curry’s injury headlined Wednesday’s matchup between the Warriors and the Celtics.
Stephen Curry went down with a left foot injury late in the first half after Marcus Smart dove for a loose ball. Curry limped to the locker room after Smart made another aggressive play, receiving a Flagrant 1 foul when he leapt and caught his leg on Klay Thompson’s shooting arm.
After the game, the Celtics guard defended himself regarding those two plays as the Celtics sailed to a 100-88 victory over Golden State. The guard said his teammates and colleagues know he’s not the type of guy to intentionally hurt others.
“I could really care less about (my reputation) because I know who I am,” Smart said. “My teammates and players and my colleagues, they know I’m not a dirty player. They know I’ma go out there and leave everything I have on the floor for my team and I’ma hustle. And that’s just what it is,” Smart noted, via MassLive.
The Celtics’ guard has a relationship with Warriors head coach Steve Kerr through the Team USA. Both parties were heated during the game. However, Kerr explained Smart did not do anything intentional.
“I hate to see any injury, so I hope Steph’s alright,” Smart told reporters. “We looked at it. I didn’t even see him, just saw the ball, I dove on the ball, and tried to make a play. And unfortunately that occurred so I’m really down right now about it.”
This was a tough blow for Curry two days after he dazzled for 47 points on his 34th birthday in a 126-112 win against the Wizards on Monday.
On the other hand, Smart led another stingy defensive effort for the Celtics. Boston defense held the Warriors to 29 percent shooting in the first half and 37 percent after the intermission.
Smart had 20 points, on 8-of-12 shooting, along with eight assists to finish the contest. The Celtics are having the best record in the league during the last two months, with 18 wins in 22 games.
After a slow start to the season, they’re sitting fourth in the East with a 42-28 record.
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