Celtics expect Marcus Smart to play Friday

Marcus Smart plans to play Friday for the first time since January 23, when he was injured "swiping" a picture frame off the wall.

Smart practiced with the Boston Celtics on Wednesday and said he's ready to go Friday against the Detroit Pistons.

Smart, who missed 12 games, punched a picture frame on the wall in his Los Angeles hotel room, causing a deep laceration on right hand. Smart required stitches and needed several weeks to fully heal.

He revealed Wednesday that the injury was close to being a more severe issue. Smart said he was told the injury was perilously close to be a season-ender.

"I'm sure he'd second this; it wasn't a good move," coach Brad Stevens said. "You don't want to put yourself in that risk, but luckily nothing beyond what happened, happened. His hand is a lot better and that's obviously encouraging. You don't want anyone to pay any more than he did with regard to time missed, time away. He does want to play, he's a guy who really likes to play, he's a good teammate." —Field Level Media/Reuters