Marcus Smart Says Experience Keeps Him Steady in Crunch Time
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Veteran guard Marcus Smart believes more than a decade in the NBA is the key reason head coach JJ Redick leans on him when games get chaotic.
“It’s a little bit of both,” Smart said when asked whether patience or experience makes the difference in the closing minutes. “I’ve been in this league 12 years, played a lot of games, and there’s usually more time left than you think. You just calm down and do what you’ve trained to do.”
The 32-year-old is in his first season with the Los Angeles Lakers after spending his entire career in Boston. He has appeared in more than 100 postseason contests, including a trip to the NBA Finals, and now starts alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis while frequently finishing games for Los Angeles.
Smart’s latest clutch performance came on Mar. 1, 2026, during a 120-118 win over the Sacramento Kings at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Late in the fourth quarter, the guard directed traffic, handled the ball and delivered key defensive stops that helped the Lakers secure the victory.
“My years in Boston were full of close, tough, chaotic games,” Smart added. “I know what I can do for this team, and I appreciate JJ and the staff trusting me down the stretch.”
Redick said recently that Smart “stars in his role” and gives the roster an energy boost whenever it needs one. While the Lakers rely heavily on their marquee players, the coach noted that Smart’s poise and two-way play often tilt tight contests in their favor.
Through the first four months of the season, Smart is averaging 10.7 points, 4.3 assists and 1.7 steals while routinely guarding the opponent’s top perimeter threat.
Source: Lakers Nation
