Lakers’ Marcus Smart Fined $35,000 for Obscene Gesture Toward Official
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The NBA has fined Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart $35,000 for making an obscene gesture at a game official, the league announced Friday. The penalty was issued by James Jones, the NBA’s Executive Vice President and Head of Basketball Operations.
The incident occurred at halftime of the Lakers’ 143–135 victory over the Utah Jazz on Thursday night at Delta Center. As players walked to the locker room, Smart expressed frustration with the officiating crew and made the gesture, resulting in a technical foul. Utah opened the third quarter with a free throw because of the infraction.
Despite the setback, Smart regrouped after the break. He logged 17 points, four rebounds, one assist and one steal in 28 minutes before fouling out in the fourth quarter, helping Los Angeles erase a halftime deficit.
Recent Shooting Surge
Smart’s overall production has been buoyed by an improved three-point stroke. Over his last three games, the veteran guard has converted 14 of 28 attempts from long range. After the win in Salt Lake City, he credited teammates Luka Doncic and LeBron James for creating open looks.
“They played me how every other team’s been playing me… I haven’t been shooting the ball well to start the year, so they figured, ‘Let’s make him make shots,’” Smart said. “Tonight, I found a rhythm. Shout-out to Luka and LeBron for finding me and just being ready to knock down the shot.”
Source: Lakers Nation
