The Lakers' Marcus Smart fined $35,000 for obscene gesture toward official - ESPN
By Dave McMenamin
Dec 20, 2025, 02:48 PM ET
Los Angeles, California -- The Los Angeles Lakers' Marcus Smart was fined $35,000 for making an obscene gesture toward a game official at halftime of L.A.'s 143-135 win over the Utah Jazz on Thursday, the NBA announced. With the Lakers trailing 78-73 at the end of the second quarter, Smart had a heated exchange with a referee as he exited the court, flipping him the middle finger. This isn't Smart's first offense; he was previously fined $25,000 for flipping off a fan during the 2017 NBA playoffs. Smart's actions resulted in a technical foul, his third of the season, and the Jazz began the second half with a technical free throw. However, Smart redeemed himself in the fourth quarter, scoring nine of his 17 points and helping 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 L.A. Clippers, with three key players out due to injury.
