BOSTON – Marcus Smart waited nearly two years before taking the floor again at TD Garden and competing with his old Celtics teammates.

The current Grizzlies guard finally got his chance during Boston’s matchup with Memphis on Saturday night in Beantown, allowing Smart to enjoy the warm welcome when he checked in in the first quarter. Thousands of Celtics fans in attendance stood and applauded the former Boston favorite, to which Smart responded with an appreciative raise of his hand.

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Smart returned to Boston for the first time as a member of the Grizzlies in last season’s meeting on February 4, but was unable to suit up due to a finger injury. The Celtics still expressed their gratitude for Smart’s nine seasons with the organization and presented him with a tribute video, while also honoring him as the evening’s “Hero Among Us” – highlighting a dedicated individual making a difference in the community .

Memphis had Smart listed as questionable when he entered the night with an ankle injury and was even bleeding during an accidental head-to-head collision during the Grizzlies’ practice Saturday afternoon. Still, none of these could stop Smart from competing, showing that nothing has changed since Smart left Boston.

“From a business perspective, it was a great trade,” Smart said during practice on Saturday, according to Bobby Manning of CLNS Media. “I just wish I had approached it a little differently and just told myself. That way, instead of just being caught off guard, I could have prepared myself and prepared my family.”