EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart was fined $35,000 for making an obscene gesture toward a game official during halftime of Los Angeles’ 143-135 victory over the Utah Jazz on Thursday, the league announced Saturday.
With the Lakers leading 78-73 late in the second quarter, Smart got into an exchange with one of the referees as he was leaving the court and gave him the finger after the exchange.
Smart was previously fined $25,000 for running over a fan during the 2017 NBA playoffs.
Against Utah, Smart’s actions resulted in him being called for a technical foul — his third of the season — and the Jazz began the second half with the technical free throw before the game began.
Smart redeemed himself in the fourth quarter, scoring nine of his 17 points – going 3 for 4 on 3-pointers – to help the Lakers secure the victory.
The 12-year veteran is averaging 10.6 points, 2.9 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.6 steals in 17 games with the Lakers this season, making 11 starts.
The Lakers will need him in the starting lineup again on Saturday against the LA Clippers, with three members of their usual starting unit out due to injury.
Guard Austin Reaves will miss his third straight game with a left calf strain, center Deandre Ayton will miss his second straight game with left elbow soreness and forward Rui Hachimura was downgraded from questionable to out Saturday morning with right groin soreness.
