BOSTON — Kyrie Irving received the 13th annual Red Auerbach Award prior to Game 5 Tuesday night as the Celtics player or coach who best exemplifies the spirit of what it means to be a Celtic through exceptional performance on and off the court.


 


While it was clear what Irving, who is out for the season following knee surgery that limited him to 60 games, could bring to the Celtics in basketball talent, there were some questions how much [...]

SCOTT SOUZA The MetroWest Daily News

BOSTON — Kyrie Irving received the 13th annual Red Auerbach Award prior to Game 5 Tuesday night as the Celtics player or coach who best exemplifies the spirit of what it means to be a Celtic through exceptional performance on and off the court.

 

While it was clear what Irving, who is out for the season following knee surgery that limited him to 60 games, could bring to the Celtics in basketball talent, there were some questions how much patience Irving might have going from a recent NBA champion and perennial finalist in Cleveland to a young Celtics team.

 

Irving quickly answered those questions by taking several young players — especially Terry Rozier — under his wing.

 

“Kyrie understood that we have a lot of young players and that they needed to come along,” said fellow All-Star Al Horford before the game. “That we needed to develop our team. He’s done a good job all year leading by example. A big part of the reason why we’re in this position is because of him and his willingness to really buy into the team concept, and understand that it’s about the team. That’s been great for us.”

 

Marcus Smart, who returned to the floor Tuesday night six weeks after surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb, said Irving and fellow injured All-Star Gordon Hayward were both helpful during his rehabilitation.

 

“That’s one thing with Kyrie,” Smart said. “Even though he’s not here with us physically, he’s texting guys. He’s making sure guys know what’s going on and things like that. Gordon, this whole season, he’s still being a part of this team.

 

“Those are good signs. You need guys like that at times like this with a lot of young guys playing. This is the first time [in the playoffs] for a lot of them so to have those old guys still here in spirit means a lot.”

 

Horford said Irving had given the team a pep talk before the Game 2 victory, telling each of the players what adjustments to expect from the Bucks. He said before Game 5 that Irving's counsel has continued throughout the series.

 

“He’s always in touch,” Horford said. “He’s around. He’s always there to support us. Those are just some of the times that we come out and publicly talk about it. But things like that happen a lot. I feel like we have a close group. Everybody is always communicating.”

 

Horford, who missed the final four months of the 2013-14 season with a torn pectoral muscle, said he appreciates how challenging it can be to stay as engaged with the team as Irving has been after a season-ending injury.

 

“No question,” Horford said. “It’s hard. It’s got to be. It is. I’ve been through it myself. One of those things from me to those guys is that I want to make sure that, not only them but also Daniel Theis (knee surgery), everybody feels a part of what we’ve got going. Obviously, we miss them.”

 

Smart ready

 

Smart, who was cleared for full contact on Monday, pronounced himself good to go about an hour before Game 5 after going through two-on-two drills and a shoot-around with no pain in his thumb.

 

While he wore a small splint to protect it, he said he was not in any danger of re-injuring the thumb.

 

“Obviously, we’re better with Marcus Smart,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens said before the game. “I don’t think that’s debatable.” … Stevens did make a surprise switch to the starting lineup for Game 5 as he inserted rookie Semi Ojeleye into a smaller first five in place of Aron Baynes.