Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart has been penalized with a $35,000 fine following an obscene gesture directed at a game official during halftime of his team’s thrilling 143-135 victory over the Utah Jazz on Thursday in Salt Lake City, as announced by the NBA on Saturday.
The incident occurred as the Lakers trailed 78-73 at halftime. Smart engaged in a verbal exchange with a referee while exiting the court and subsequently displayed his middle finger to the official. This action resulted in Smart receiving a technical foul, marking his third of the season. The Jazz capitalized on the foul by shooting the technical free throw before the start of the second half.
Smart, a seasoned player in his 12th NBA season, has made an impact this year, averaging 10.6 points and 2.9 assists across 17 games, with 11 of those being starts. In the game against the Jazz, he contributed solidly with 17 points and four rebounds over 28 minutes of play.
The Lakers are set to face off against their city rivals, the Los Angeles Clippers, on Saturday night. This matchup promises to be another exciting chapter in the season as both teams continue to vie for playoff positions.