Is Celtics' Marcus Smart playing tonight vs. Heat? Guard's injury status for Game 5 of 2022 Eastern Conference Finals

Kyle Irving

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Is Celtics' Marcus Smart playing tonight vs. Heat? Guard's injury status for Game 5 of 2022 Eastern Conference Finals image

The Eastern Conference Finals have been plagued with injuries, and Celtics leader Marcus Smart is among a group of players who have missed games.

Smart was sidelined for Game 1 of the series after suffering a midfoot sprain in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Milwaukee Bucks. He made his impact felt upon his return, going for a near triple-double in Game 2 to lead the Celtics to victory, but he was injured again in Game 3.

Smart suffered a bad ankle sprain in the third quarter of Game 3. He returned to play the remainder of the game but the swelling was too significant to suit up for Game 4.

The Celtics were able to prevail without the Defensive Player of the Year, but his return is imperative for Game 5 with the series tied at 2-2.

Has Smart's ankle swelling reduced enough to suit up for Game 5? Here's everything we know.

Is Marcus Smart playing tonight vs. Heat?

According to the Celtics, Smart is available for Game 5.

After missing Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals with a midfoot sprain, Smart returned in Game 2 in impressive fashion, posting 24 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds. He finished Game 3 with 16 points, seven assists and four rebounds in 36 minutes of play but suffered a brutal ankle injury in the third quarter, which kept him out for Game 4.

Derrick White did a solid job as an interim starter in Game 4, going for 13 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals, but he'll return to the bench with Smart retaking his spot in the starting lineup.

What channel is Celtics vs. Heat on?

  • Date: Wednesday, May 25
  • TV channel: ESPN
  • Live streaming: Watch ESPN | Sling TV

Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals will air on ESPN. Viewers can also stream Game 5 on Watch ESPN and Sling TV.

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Celtics vs. Heat start time

  • Date: Wednesday, May 25
  • Time: 8:30 p.m. ET | 5:30 p.m. PT

Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals will tip off around 8:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May 25. The game will be played at the FTX Arena in Miami, FL.

Celtics vs. Heat schedule, TV channels

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

Date Game Time (ET) / Result TV channel
May 17 Game 1 Heat 118, Celtics 107 ESPN
May 19 Game 2 Celtics 127, Heat 102 ESPN
May 21 Game 3 Heat 109, Celtics 103 ABC
May 23 Game 4 Celtics 102, Heat 82 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

Kyle Irving

Kyle Irving Photo

You read that wrong – not Kyrie Irving. From Boston, graduated from the University of New Hampshire. Sixth season as a content producer for NBA.com's Global editions. Covering the NBA Draft has become his annual "dream come true" moment on the job. Irving has a soft spot for pass-first point guards, with Rajon Rondo and Steve Nash being two of his favorite players of all time.