Even Kyrie can't stop watching Marcus Smart highlights originally appeared on nbcsportsboston.com WASHINGTON, D.C. - On his way to meet with reporters on Wednesday night, Boston Celtics All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving took a moment to dap up teammate Marcus Smart as they crossed paths near the media scrum. It wouldn't be the only time that Irving showed appreciation for his new partner in Boston's starting backcourt. "I'm so grateful he's on our team, you know, really," said Irving, who might not have had a chance to hit all the big late-game shots if not for Smart's energy jolt that woke up a lethargic Celtics team in the second half when they rallied from 11 down to win.

Kyrie Irving's clutch shooting carries Celtics to overtime win over Wizards originally appeared on nbcsportsboston.com WASHINGTON, D.C. - Marcus Smart swears he knew the shot was going up. Maybe that's why he never even made it out far enough to set the high screen on John Wall that was supposed to set the play in motion. No, by the time Smart even got close, teammate Kyrie Irving was already going up with a shot that seemed even deeper than the still absurd 31 feet that the official box score would peg it at.

Serenaded on the road by chants of ''MVP!'' in the closing seconds, Irving scored Boston's last 12 points to finish with 38, and the undermanned Celtics extended their winning streak to seven games with a 130-125 victory over the Wizards on Wednesday night. ''We've seen Kyrie do that on multiple occasions,'' said Marcus Smart, a guard who spent some time at center and had 18 points and five rebounds.

Leave it to Marcus Smart to catalyze one of the Boston Celtics' wildest plays of the season. In the third quarter of the Celtics' matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night, Smart hit the deck after intercepting an Andrew Wiggins pass.

Jaylen Brown did not practice again Thursday and the Celtics have confirmed that the third-year swingman will miss his second consecutive game Friday due to a back bruise when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers. Al Horford will also miss the game due to rest. Smart gave Boston's starting group a jolt of energy in the confidence-inspiring win Monday night in New Orleans, logging 40 minutes as Stevens seemed to send a message to the team about prioritizing hustle and grit.