Celtics' Smart ready to play against Bucks

Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart is available to play in Monday's Game 4 against the Milwaukee Bucks, the team announced approximately two hours before tipoff. Smart has been sidelined since suffering an oblique injury against the Orlando Magic on April 7. He missed the regular-season finale and all seven playoff games for the Celtics prior to Monday.

Boston coach Brad Stevens said Smart would play in short segments of four to five minutes. Smart felt he was close to being medically cleared after a strong practice effort on Sunday.

"The boxes are being checked," Smart said after practice. "We're taking it one day at a time but we're definitely in the right position, right time, progressive phase to where I'm getting really close to coming back here." Smart, the team's top defensive guard, averaged 8.9 points and 4.0 assists in 80 regular-season games (60 starts).

The Bucks hold a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series.