Lakers' Marcus Smart Fined for Making Obscene Gesture in Win vs. Jazz

Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart has been fined $35,000 for making an obscene gesture toward an official during halftime of his team's 143-135 road win over the Utah Jazz on Thursday.

Smart was fined for "flipping off the refs," according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

Smart finished with 17 points and four rebounds to help the Lakers improve to 19-7.

After agreeing to a buyout with the Washington Wizards, Smart signed a two-year, $11 million deal with the Lakers last offseason.

Over 17 games (11 starts), Smart has averaged 10.6 points on 43.1 percent shooting, 2.9 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game.

He's been a big help for the Lakers, who sit fourth in the Western Conference but just a game back of the Denver Nuggets for second.

The 31-year-old Smart has played in the NBA for 12 seasons with the Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies, Wizards and Lakers.

His calling card has been on defense. Smart has made three All-Defensive First Teams in his career, and he even won Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2021-22 with the C's.

As for the present, Smart and the Lakers will look for win No. 20 when they visit the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday.