Eastern Conference Finals: Marcus Smart, Robert Williams to play, Tyler Herro out for Celtics vs. Heat Game 5

There’s plenty at stake in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Ahead of the key matchup, the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat provided some major injury updates.

Marcus Smart — the 2021-22 NBA Defensive Player of the Year — and Robert Williams are both active for Boston, the team announced. Smart suffered an ankle injury in Game 4 and briefly left the game before coming back. Williams has been nursing a knee injury, but he’ll be good to go for the pivotal game at FTX Arena. Getting both of them on the court will be important if Boston wants to take a 3-2 lead in the series, especially from a defensive standpoint.

Miami didn’t get much good news, though. Tyler Herro won’t play as he recovers from a groin injury, the Heat announced. That’s a big hit to the bench depth because Herro — the 2021-22 NBA Sixth Man of the Year — averaged 20.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game during the regular season.

Miami had a 2-1 lead in the series before Boston cruised to a 102-82 win in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Monday. Jayson Tatum scored a game-high 31 points along with eight rebounds and five assists to lead Boston. The Heat only scored 11 points in the first quarter and went most of the period without a made field goal. Victor Oladipo led the team with 23 points, but the five starters combined for 18.

Miami will look for a bounce-back game Wednesday night as it tries to keep its title hopes alive. Tip-off between the Heat and the Celtics is coming up at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. The winner of the series advances to the NBA Finals, where it will take on the winner of the Golden State Warriors vs. Dallas Mavericks series. Golden State has a 3-1 advantage in that one.