Boston Celtics Suspend Marcus Smart

The Boston Celtics are sending a message and Marcus Smart can hear it loud and clear. The team has suspended the guard for Friday's preseason game with the Miami Heat for violating team rules.

Head coach Ime Udoka met with the media on Thursday and had this to say:

It's internal. We've handled it. He's remorseful. We hold Marcus to a high standard. ... Marcus is one of our leaders that we expect a lot from. He understands that. ... Move on from there

Smart's a huge part of the Celtics and needs to have a good season for the team to have success. He's however no stranger to suspensions as he was suspended last April for making a threatening remark to an official.

The Celtics made a huge commitment to Smart as he signed a four-year deal worth $77 million in April. It's expected he'll be starting this season in place of Kemba Walker who went to the New York Knicks.

Boston closes out the preseason on Friday and is hopeful everyone who is healthy will be available to play in their season opener on October 20 against Walker and the Knicks.

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