Former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart has previously been penalized several times for dissent

Former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart has previously been penalized several times for dissent

Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart has been fined $35,000 for making an obscene gesture toward a game official, the NBA announced Saturday.

Smart raised his middle finger at referees during halftime of the Lakers' 143-135 win over the Utah Jazz on Thursday in Salt Lake City.

He was given a technical foul during the game for arguing with officials -- one of three Lakers players to earn an on-court reprimand, as frustration boiled over before Los Angeles went on to victory.

The former Defensive Player of the Year has previously been penalized several times for dissent.

Smart earned a $25,000 fine for swearing at a fan in 2017, $15,000 for criticizing referees in 2020, and another $35,000 for inappropriate language toward officials in 2023, among several others.

Veteran guard Smart joined the Lakers this season, signing a two-year contract as a free agent after leaving a brief stint with the Washington Wizards.

amz/jc

Originally published on doc.afp.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.

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