Marcus Smart Shakes Off Scary Shoulder Hit, Returns to Anchor Lakers Defense
For a moment Thursday night, it looked like the Lakers might be staring down a serious problem. In the first quarter against the Houston Rockets, Marcus Smart-L.A.’s defensive heartbeat-took a punishing screen from Steven Adams and immediately grabbed at his right shoulder. He made a beeline for the locker room, his arm hanging awkwardly at his side, and you could feel the air suck out of Crypto.com Arena.
Smart’s known for his toughness. He’s the guy who dives on loose balls in the first quarter like it’s Game 7 of the Finals.
So when he bolts off the floor holding his shoulder and can’t lift his arm, it’s not just a footnote-it’s a red flag. For a Lakers team that leans on him to set the tone defensively, losing Smart for any stretch of time would be a major blow.
But in classic Marcus Smart fashion, he didn’t stay down for long. What looked like it could’ve been a long-term injury turned out to be a scare more than anything else. Smart returned to the game later on, much to the relief of the Lakers bench-and their fans.
Before the collision, Smart was already doing what he does best: making life miserable for the opposing offense. He picked Alperen Sengun’s pocket and finished strong at the rim, a sequence that perfectly captures his two-way impact.
He came into the night averaging 1.6 steals per game, and that number feels low when you watch him play. He’s constantly in passing lanes, fighting through screens, and throwing his body into the fray like it’s second nature.
And while Thursday’s shoulder scare made headlines, it wasn’t the only reason Smart’s name has been circulating lately. Earlier this week, the NBA hit him with a $35,000 fine for an obscene gesture directed at a referee during halftime of the Lakers’ high-scoring win over the Utah Jazz. He was assessed a technical foul before flipping off an official on his way to the locker room-an act that didn’t go unnoticed by the league office.
After the game, Smart didn’t shy away from explaining his frustration. “As a defender, you’re already at a disadvantage,” he said. “When the offensive guy can put his hands on you and make all the contact, and you only have a small margin of error, it’s tough.”
That quote says a lot about who Smart is. He’s a throwback defender in a league that’s increasingly tilted toward offense. He’s not afraid to speak up about how that shift affects players like him-the ones who make their money doing the dirty work.
Despite the fine and the injury scare, Smart’s value to this Lakers team isn’t in question. Since signing a two-year, $11 million deal after a buyout with the Wizards, the 31-year-old has been a steady presence.
Through 17 games, he’s averaging 10.6 points, 2.9 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.6 steals. But his impact goes far beyond the box score.
Smart brings grit, leadership, and a defensive edge that this Lakers squad desperately needs. And if Thursday night proved anything, it’s that even when he gets knocked down, Marcus Smart doesn’t stay down for long.