Marcus Smart: Ruled out of opener, hopes to return soon

Smart’s sprained left ankle has improved of late, but he remains without a firm return timetable. The third-year guard estimated that he’ll be back in “about a week,” which would likely mean he’ll miss at least the first three games of the season. Following the opener Wednesday, Boston plays at Chicago on Thursday and at Charlotte on Saturday before returning home to host the Bulls next Wednesday, Nov. 2.