The Los Angeles Lakers had been without Marcus Smart for the past six games as he dealt with a back injury, and the team sorely missed his energy and defensive presence. Smart is one of the team’s best perimeter defenders and his communication on that side of the court has been invaluable for the Lakers.
Getting him back for Wednesday’s Emirates NBA Cup quarterfinals against the San Antonio Spurs was a positive, but it was actually on the offensive side where Smart was huge for the Lakers. He hit eight 3-pointers and finished with a season-high 26 points, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough to help boost the Lakers to a win as they fell to the Spurs by 14 points.
Obviously the outcome was not what Smart or the Lakers was hoping for, but for him individually, it was a great showing in his first game in two weeks. And the veteran said he felt good in his return physically and wanted to bring a spark to the Lakers.
“When you’re out for a while, that wind, trying to get your wind is a little tough,” Smart said. “But I got going a little bit, felt good. The back felt really good, body felt good. I just wanted to bring a little spark for us, tried to do it to the best of my ability. Sometimes you can do that and have games like this where you don’t win. But all in all, everything for me felt good. Wish the outcome was different.”
The fact that Smart is feeling good physically is the most important thing. Injuries have been an issue for him over the past couple seasons and he’s already missed nine games this season as well, so keeping Smart’s body on the right track as the season goes along is extremely important for this team.
Smart did his job in providing that spark the Lakers needed against the Spurs, but the team as a whole didn’t do their job. Regardless, the veteran has been a positive for this squad and if he can continue to provide that spark off the bench, the Lakers will be better for it.
Luka Doncic: Lakers need to be more like Marcus Smart on defense
One player who has been a big supporter of Marcus Smart all season long is Luka Doncic, who has praised the veteran for everything he has brought to the Lakers. And Doncic spoke highly of Smart after his return to the court, noting how much the Lakers follow his lead on defense and that they need to be more like him on that side of the court.
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