The web search results mention that both Ayton and Smart were relishing playing postseason basketball again, and one source specifically notes it has been three years since both were last in the playoffs. However, the evidence does not provide a definitive, single source confirming this timeframe for Ayton alone, only that the general sentiment was reported by multiple web searches.

The claim specifies a very detailed event (May 9, 2023, 14 points, 9 rebounds, loss to Nuggets in Game 5). While the web search results confirm Ayton's playoff history and his time with the Suns, none of the provided evidence snippets contain the exact details of 'May 9, 2023, 14 points and 9 rebounds in a loss to the Nuggets in Game 5'. The evidence is insufficient to fully corroborate this specific historical detail.

The web search results mention the sequence of events: Ayton being traded to the Trail Blazers and missing playoffs in Portland before joining the Lakers last summer. This narrative is present across multiple web searches, but the specific timeline ('4 ½ months later') and the full context of missing both seasons are derived from web search aggregation rather than a single authoritative confirmation.

The web search results provide general information about Smart's career and the Celtics, but none of the provided evidence snippets contain the specific statistics: '108 playoff games for the Celtics over the first nine years of his career, which included five conference finals appearances and the 2022 NBA Finals.' This level of detail is not verifiable from the provided evidence.

The web search results indicate that Smart was away from the playoffs for the previous two years (Grizzlies and Wizards context). This is reported in the web search results, but no external source confirms the specific exclusion of the Grizzlies and Wizards for the two seasons prior to the current one.