Report: Marcus Smart expected to miss Celtics' season opener with ankle injury

It looks like the Boston Celtics will be shorthanded when they start the season next week.

Marcus Smart injured his left ankle in the Celtics’ preseason game against the Knicks on Wednesday, and he’s expected to miss a couple of weeks, according to CSN New England.

Smart has injured the same ankle before, but according to the report, this sprain doesn’t appear to be as severe. The third-year guard, who will back up Isaiah Thomas, played in 61 games last season, averaging 9.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists.

The Celtics, who begin the regular season against the Nets next Wednesday, selected Smart with the sixth pick in 2014.