Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart has been fined $35,000 for making an obscene gesture toward a game official, the NBA announced Saturday. Smart raised his middle finger at referees during halftime of the Lakers’ 143-135 win over the Utah Jazz on Thursday in Salt Lake City.
He was given a technical foul during the game for arguing with officials — one of three Lakers players to earn an on-court reprimand, as frustration boiled over before Los Angeles went on to victory. The former Defensive Player of the Year has previously been penalized several times for dissent.
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Smart earned a $25,000 fine for swearing at a fan in 2017, $15,000 for criticizing referees in 2020, and another $35,000 for inappropriate language toward officials in 2023, among several others. Veteran guard Smart joined the Lakers this season, signing a two-year contract as a free agent after leaving a brief stint with the Washington Wizards.
© 2024 AFP
