The Celtics kicked off their west coast road trip with a tough matchup with the Golden State Warriors. In what quickly became a scrappy and chippy game between the two teams, Boston’s defense set the tone with their physicality and pressure. After Steph Curry was forced from the game due to an ankle injury sustained from a collision with Marcus Smart, everything snowballed. Despite a late surge in the 3rd quarter with Jordan Poole, the Celtics pulled away to seal the 110-88 win to start off their road trip.
Marcus Smart had dove for a loose ball early in the game, and Steph Curry’s ankle had gotten caught under him incidentally. Coach Steve Kerr was irate, and had some words with Marcus Smart on the court. On the play and the following altercation between Smart and Kerr, Head Coach Ime Udoka said “The play they were talking about was completely legal. One guy reached for it, one guy dove for it. There wasn’t anything there to complain about. I told Marcus not to worry about it.”
On the play involving Smart and Curry, teammate Jaylen Brown said “It wasn’t anything dirty. That’s just what Marcus does. Marcus is the first to the floor every time. Both teams know that. I don’t know what the controversy was.”
On his not-so-pleasant conversation with Coach Kerr, Marcus Smart said “Steve and I know each other from USA Basketball. He knows I would never try to hurt anyone.” On his season and how he’s emerged as the point guard that the Celtics need, Smart said “I just continue to let my game do the talking for itself. My game is telling everybody that I told you so.”
Join the Celtics Postgame Show as A. Sherrod Blakely, Bobby Manning, Josue Pavon, and host John Zannis break it all down.
We’re on DISCORD! You should join too to stay in touch with the guys, get alerted on special announcements, participate in giveaways and tons of other cool stuff! → https://discord.gg/xTdFj6xFHs
You can also listen and Subscribe to the Garden Report Postgame Show on iTunes, Spotify & Stitcher as we go LIVE after every Celtics game. Watch the show LIVE after every game by subscribing to our YouTube Channel!
The CLNS Media Network is Powered by BetOnline.ag, Use Promo Code: CLNS50 for a 50% Welcome Bonus On Your First Deposit!
SUPPORT THE GARDEN REPORT’S SPONSOR, CODA: With Coda, you can solve for just about anything. And right now you can get started having your team all working together on the same page for FREE! Head over to https://coda.io/garden to get started for FREE!
