The NBA has fined Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart $35,000 for making an obscene gesture toward a game official during halftime of Thursday's victory over the Utah Jazz. The incident followed a technical foul Smart received at the end of the first half in the 143-135 win. Smart contributed 17 points in the game, including five three-pointers.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart was fined $35,000 by the NBA on Saturday for an obscene gesture directed at a game official. The league announced the penalty through Executive Vice President James Jones, stating the incident occurred at halftime of the Lakers' 143-135 victory over the Utah Jazz on December 18 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.
Smart, a 31-year-old veteran in his first season with the Lakers, received a technical foul just before the end of the first half, prompting the gesture. He played 28 minutes in the game, scoring 17 points on 54 percent field-goal shooting, including 5-of-9 from three-point range, while adding four rebounds and one assist. The Jazz scored 78 points in the first half, highlighting defensive struggles for the Lakers, who rank sixth in offensive efficiency at 118.8 but 22nd defensively at 117.1.
Smart has been starting the past two games due to a calf sprain sidelining teammate Austin Reaves. He recently returned from back issues, missing six games after playing against the Clippers on November 25. In his return on December 10 versus the San Antonio Spurs, Smart erupted for a season-high 26 points on 8-of-14 three-point shooting in a 132-119 loss. Against the Phoenix Suns prior to the Jazz game, he recorded eight points, four rebounds, and six assists in 31 minutes.
This season, Smart averages 10.6 points, 2.9 assists, and 2.5 rebounds. Previously, he spent nine seasons with the Boston Celtics before playing for the Memphis Grizzlies and Washington Wizards last year. Post-fine, Smart commented on the team's defensive challenges: "We have a lot of star power offensively... That's why when you're in the starting lineup, you see, from the tip, I am trying to pick guys up full court. Just trying to—toughest team sets the rules, so I am trying to set the rules early for us."
The Lakers, now 19-7, face the Clippers on Saturday, followed by games against the Suns and Rockets on Christmas Day.
