Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart has been fined $35,000 for making an obscene gesture towards a game official, it was announced by James Jones, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations with the NBA.
The incident occurred at halftime of the Lakers’ 143-135 win over the Utah Jazz at Delta Center on Thursday night. Smart was unhappy with the officiating and made an obscene gesture towards an official as he was walking off the court and back to the locker room.
Smart was given a technical foul at the time of the incident, as the Jazz began the third quarter with a free throw. He was able to regain his composure though and had a really strong second half to lead the Lakers to a comeback win, finishing with 17 points, four rebounds, one assist and one steal in 28 minutes before fouling out in the fourth quarter.
Smart has always been a player that wears his emotions on his sleeve, which can be both good and bad at times. He has brought a fire to this Lakers team that was not previously there with his defense and hustle plays, helping the squad try to form an identity of playing hard every night.
Sometimes that can lead to technical fouls and fines like it did in Utah, but Smart will surely trade that for a win any time.
Marcus Smart finding 3-point groove?
Smart got off to a slow start this season when it comes to shooting from deep, but he has come on as of late, knocking down 14-of-28 3-point attempts in his last three games.
After the Lakers’ win in Utah, he gave credit for Luka Doncic and LeBron James for getting him open looks.
“They played me how every other team’s been playing me and how they’ve played me the last two games we played them. I haven’t been shooting the ball well to start the year, so they figured let’s make them make shots. And tonight, I found a rhythm. Shoutout to Luka and those guys, LeBron, finding me and then just being ready to knock down the shot,” Smart said.
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