Lakers Marcus Smart Fined 35K for Flipping Off Refs

Merlin sees Marcus Smart was hit with a $35,000 fine for making an obscene gesture at an official during halftime of the Lakers 143 135 win over the Jazz. The league cited him for "flipping off the refs." Smart scored 17 points and grabbed four rebounds as Los Angeles improved to 19 7. After a buyout with Washington he signed a two year 11 million dollar deal with the Lakers and is averaging 10.6 points on 43.1 percent shooting, 2.9 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks over 17 games. His trademark is defense, with three All Defensive First Teams and a Defensive Player of the Year award in 2022. Merlin notes the fine is a spark not a conflagration. Smart’s edge fuels the Lakers at both ends and will draw extra referee attention, but the bigger story is whether his intensity lifts Los Angeles in tight games. The Clippers matchup for win number 20 is the next true measure.