A resurfaced video circulating on social media captures a young Luka Doncic facing relentless pressure from veteran defender Marcus Smart during a preseason game between Real Madrid and the Boston Celtics. The 14-second clip, shared by the account @pickuphoop on July 25, 2025, shows Smart shadowing the then-16-year-old prospect, forcing him to give up the ball and retreat to the corner.
The brief sequence offers an early look at the competitive dynamic between two players who are now teammates with the Los Angeles Lakers. Doncic, who dominated the EuroLeague and collected league MVP honors at age 18 before being selected No. 3 overall in the 2018 NBA Draft, is preparing for his first full season in Los Angeles seven years after arriving in the NBA.
Smart, the 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year, joined the Lakers this offseason after spending nine years with the Celtics and the last two campaigns with a rebuilding franchise. Injuries and limited opportunities have hampered his recent production, but Los Angeles believes the 30-year-old guard can still provide elite perimeter defense—an assessment underscored by Doncic’s role in recruiting him.
In a recent interview, Smart admitted he is relieved to play alongside Doncic rather than across from him, calling the All-NBA guard one of the toughest assignments of his career. The two-time All-Defensive selection has also logged countless battles with LeBron James, another new teammate, during his time in Boston.
Imagem: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports via lakersnation.com
The renewed spotlight on Smart’s defense against a teenage Doncic highlights how far both players have come since that exhibition meeting. Smart is entering the latter stages of a distinguished defensive career, while Doncic is moving into his prime as one of the league’s most dynamic playmakers. Together, they form a backcourt Los Angeles hopes will translate past chemistry into future success.
Source: Lakers Nation
