EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart has been issued a $35,000 fine by the NBA after making an obscene hand gesture toward a referee during halftime of the Lakers’ 143-135 victory against the Utah Jazz on Thursday night.
As the second quarter concluded with the Lakers trailing 78-73, Smart exchanged words with an official while heading to the locker room before flipping his middle finger. The incident led to a technical foul — Smart’s third this season — giving Utah a free throw to open the second half.
This is not Smart’s first penalty for similar misconduct. He previously received a $25,000 fine for a similar gesture toward a fan during the 2017 NBA playoffs.
Despite the controversy, Smart bounced back in the fourth quarter, scoring nine of his 17 total points and hitting three out of four 3-point attempts to help secure the win for Los Angeles. The 12-year veteran is averaging 10.6 points, 2.9 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.6 steals across 17 games with the Lakers this season, starting in 11.
Los Angeles will rely on Smart again Saturday against the LA Clippers, with several starters sidelined. Austin Reaves remains out with a left calf strain, Deandre Ayton will miss another game due to a sore left elbow, and Rui Hachimura was downgraded to out Saturday morning with a groin issue.
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