(Ep031) Breaking Down Marcus Smart’s Neck Stinger and Quad Contusion Against the Bucks

Written By Phil White

Since starring for the Oklahoma State Cowboys, Marcus Smart has made a name for himself as a rugged defender capable of guarding all five positions, a capable ball handler, and a reliable shooter. During the Boston Celtics’ sweep of the New Jersey Nets, Smart showed his Defensive Player of the Year chops, shutting down Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving during key stretches. But in the first game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Smart was in the locker room with a neck stinger. After returning to the court, he suffered two impacts to his quad, leading to a questionable status for game two. 

In this episode, former Lakers S+C coach Tim DiFrancesco (TD) explains:

  • What a neck stinger is and how it caused Smart’s arm to temporarily lose function and sensation

  • How the injury compares to a similar one sustained by Chris Paul in last year’s playoffs

  • Why two hits to Smart’s quad have put his game 2 status in jeopardy

  • How such an issue can lead to myositis ossificans (bone growth in the muscle)

  • What the Celtics’ medical staff might do to protect Smart as the playoffs progress


Keep listening for more NBA Playoffs injury round ups, and check out the TD Athletes Edge website for injury reduction and treatment tips and tools.

Phil White
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(Ep032) Paul Fabritz (Part 1): How He Went Injured & Overlooked To Doing Windmill Dunks; Becoming One Of The Premier NBA Player Trainers, Why Young Players Today Are Injured At Alarming Rates
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(Ep030) Why Do NBA Players Get Hurt During the Playoffs and How Can Anyone Improve their Durability?