After missing 11 games with a cut on his right hand that required 20 stitches, Smart practiced Wednesday and will be available to face the Detroit Pistons Friday night.
WALTHAM – Four weeks after cutting his right hand while punching a picture frame, Marcus Smart is once again available to the Celtics.
The fourth-year guard, who sat out 11 games after receiving 20 stitches, returned to practice Wednesday as the team ended a week-long vacation for the All-Star break.
Smart will play for the first time since Jan. 23 when the Celtics resume their schedule on Friday night in Detroit against the Pistons.
“I’m back and it feels good,’’ said Smart following the workout. “It’s good to be back out there with these guys.’’
Smart is fortunate that he is able to return this season after doctors said he just missed cutting tendons in the hand, which would have required season-ending surgery.
The incident took place in a Beverly Hills hotel room on Jan. 24, one day after Smart missed a last-second shot against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Smart said doctors pulled a piece of glass from the palm of the hand that was right between two tendons.
“They said, ‘You should play the (lottery) because you missed your tendons,’’ said Smart. “They don’t understand and don’t really see how (it missed). I thank God for that every day. It could have been worse.’’
The Celtics struggled at the defensive end without Smart, allowing at least 100 points in eight of the 11 games.
Smart, known for his competitive spirit, realizes that he cost his team by missing so much time and will look to stay under control.
“I just have to go out there and do it,’’ said Smart of keeping his emotions in check. “It’s not a big deal. Up until this point, I’ve been doing real good this year. I think I’ve probably got, if I have a tech, one technical foul. It’s just some things you have to learn from.’’
During his time on the sideline, Smart said he was “sad, frustrated, irritated’’ for doing what he did.
Smart is wearing a bandage on a finger and said there was no pain when he was hit during practice.
Coach Brad Stevens discussed the incident with Smart during the time he was sidelined.
“You don’t want to put yourself in that risk,’’ said Stevens. “Luckily nothing beyond what happened happened.
“Hopefully (Smart returning is) a good lift. I would think so. He’s been a real key part of our team for four years now. Not only does he add what he adds but he also knows what’s going on to the nth degree because he’s been here so long.’’
The Celtics gave up a season high in points in the final two games before the break to the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Clippers.
They will need more than just Smart’s toughness at that end, but his presence will provide a boost.
“Just a lot of energy,’’ said Al Horford when asked when Smart can bring. “I think he’s excited to be back. There’s no question having Marcus back makes our defense a lot better.’’
Stevens with Sox: While visiting his mother in Florida this week, Stevens took his children to the Red Sox training camp where manager Alex Cora asked him to address the team.
“First of all, I told them, like, I am not qualified to speak to a baseball team. I got picked off the last play of my career in high school,’’ said Stevens.
“It was really fun to see those guys. They were excited to get going.’’
Jim Fenton may be reached at jfenton@enterprisenews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JFenton_ent.