When the Los Angeles Lakers inked Marcus Smart to a two-year, $11 million deal this past summer, many eyebrows were raised. At 31, Smart was coming off two tough, injury-plagued seasons and seemed a far cry from the player who snagged the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award.
Yet, he's become a crucial piece in the Lakers' resurgence, especially as they've strung together six straight victories to climb to third in the Western Conference. His defensive prowess, both on and off the ball, has been invaluable, and he's even chipped in offensively when needed.
Smart's journey has been anything but smooth. A recent revelation highlighted a significant hurdle he overcame, stemming from a challenging night against the Lakers while he was with the Celtics.
On January 23, 2018, the Celtics, leading the East, faced the Lakers, who were struggling in the West. In the final moments, former Lakers guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope missed two critical free throws, leaving Smart with a chance to win it.
His buzzer-beater attempt, however, clanged off the rim, sealing a 108-107 loss for Boston.
Frustration got the better of him that night at the team hotel. In a moment of anger, Smart punched a picture frame, resulting in a severe hand injury.
"I got rushed to the ER and lost a lot of blood," Smart recounted. The injury was so serious that doctors were amazed he retained use of his hand, as the glass shard narrowly missed severing crucial tendons.
The aftermath saw Smart dealing with further injuries to his right hand, yet he considers himself fortunate. "I've had two dislocations with torn ligaments in two of the fingers," he said. Despite playing with glass in his hand for six years, which often left it numb, Smart persevered.
During the 2023-24 season, Smart struggled with a career-high 3.1 turnovers per game and limited appearances. But this season, while his shooting efficiency remains a work in progress, he's shown improvement.
Since January 2, he's hitting 37.5% of his 3-point attempts, a noticeable uptick. Over the last ten games, where the Lakers have won nine, Smart has been firing at a 41.5% clip from beyond the arc.
Defensively, Smart has been a nightmare for opposing guards, including Jalen Brunson, Anthony Edwards, and Jamal Murray, forcing them into subpar performances. With 20 charges drawn this season, he's second only to Brunson in the league. His gritty defense has provided the Lakers with a much-needed edge in the backcourt.
Wolves coach Chris Finch praised Smart's impact, noting his ability to defend without much help, a crucial asset, especially come playoff time. Last season, the Lakers fell to the Wolves in the first round. But with Smart and center Deandre Ayton now in the mix, the Lakers are poised for a potentially different outcome if they meet Minnesota again.