NBA fines Lakers guard Marcus Smart $35,000 for obscene gesture at referee
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The NBA has levied a $35,000 fine against Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart for flashing an obscene gesture at an official during halftime of the Lakers’ 143-135 victory over the Utah Jazz on Thursday, the league announced Saturday.
The incident occurred at Crypto.com Arena as the second quarter ended with Los Angeles trailing 78-73. While heading to the locker room, Smart exchanged words with a referee and extended his middle finger toward the official. He was assessed a technical foul—his third of the season—and the Jazz opened the third quarter with the technical free throw before play resumed.
Smart has a prior history of similar conduct; he was fined $25,000 in 2017 for directing the same gesture at a fan during the playoffs.
The 12-year veteran helped seal Thursday’s win by scoring nine of his 17 points in the fourth quarter, hitting 3 of 4 attempts from beyond the arc. Through 17 games (11 starts) this season, Smart is averaging 10.6 points, 2.9 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.6 steals.
Los Angeles is expected to keep Smart in the starting lineup Saturday against the LA Clippers as the team deals with several injuries. Guard Austin Reaves (left calf strain) will miss his third consecutive game, center Deandre Ayton (sore left elbow) will sit out for the second straight contest, and forward Rui Hachimura was ruled out Saturday morning with right groin soreness.
Source: ESPN
