The Boston Celtics have three players — Marcus Smart, Rob Williams, and Aaron Nesmith — out for their upcoming game against the Charlotte Hornets.

Nesmith suffered a right ankle sprain and did not practice Tuesday. A tough blow for Nesmith who provided a spark off the bench and brought great energy in Boston’s comeback win over the Pelicans. The severity of his injury is unknown but it doesn’t seem to be too worrisome.

Williams will be missing his second straight game after the birth of his second child.

“You’re sensitive to it,” coach Ime Udoka said. “He texted me the morning of our last game (Monday), so you knew it was coming. It’s an issue that you understand the time spent needs to be spent. When the players are ready, we’re very sensitive to that. Every situation is different. We’ve been in constant communication. If another game is what he needs, that’s what he gets.”

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Marcus Smart has cleared NBA’s health and safety protocols after testing positive for COVID-19. Smart will miss tonight’s game due to reconditioning but will likely be back in the lineup for the Celtics’ next game against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Smart has not played since the January 10th overtime win against the Pacers, where he left the game with a right thigh injury before testing positive for COVID-19.