Why are Marcus Smart and Al Horford out?

Horford was forced to sit out Game 1 because of the coronavirus precautions, and Smart was forced to sit out Game 1 due to a foot injury. Smart, on the other hand, went through a shootaround practise on Thursday, May 19 morning and was cleared to play after no setbacks.

Al Horford’s stay in the NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols came to an end on Thursday, May 19 just hours before Game 2 of the series against the Miami Heat began. Marcus Smart, the Kia Defensive Player of the Year, also recovered enough from a mid-foot sprain to return to the Celtics’ lineup.

Horford had 10 points on 4-for-4 shooting in 32 minutes, while Marcus Smart had 24 points, nine rebounds, and 12 assists to lead the Celtics to a 127-102 victory over the Heat in Game 2.

Ime Udoka, the Celtics’ coach, said he’s “happy to get two of our starting five back,” adding that both are “full go.” Horford’s issue was never made public, but considering that he was in the protocols and required more testing, his absence on Tuesday, May 17 was almost definitely due to a test result.