Updated April 29th, 2021 at 10:13 IST
Celtics' Smart suspended 1 game by NBA for language at ref
Celtics' Smart suspended 1 game by NBA for language at ref
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BOSTON (AP) — Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart was suspended by the league for one game Wednesday because of “threatening language” he directed at a referee a night earlier.
The suspension forced him to miss Wednesday night's home game against Charlotte.
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“I just found out about 15 minutes ago,” Boston coach Brad Stevens said during his pregame media availability, just over 90 minutes before tip-off.
“I'm not even completely aware of what happened,” Stevens said. “I did hear there were words after the game.”
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The NBA did not provide many specifics in a news release beyond saying the incidents with Smart occurred “during and after the Celtics' 119-115 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.”
“I saw Marcus this morning. We talked about it," Stevens said.
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Boston was already short-handed at point guard. Kemba Walker is out with a left oblique strain.
“Point guard by committee tonight,” Stevens said.
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Boston was blown out by the Hornets in the teams' last meeting, 125-104 in Charlotte on Sunday.
Boston entered in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, 1 1/2 games ahead of eighth-place Charlotte.
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Both teams are fighting for a playoff spot and looking to avoid the play-in games for teams that finish between seventh and 10th in the conference.
The Celtics have lost four of their last five games following a six-game winning streak.
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Published April 29th, 2021 at 10:13 IST