Marcus Smart's Costly Mistake Against the Spurs
The Los Angeles Lakers narrowly defeated the San Antonio Spurs 118-116 on Wednesday night, but the game was nearly lost due to an embarrassing error by veteran guard Marcus Smart.
The Final Moments
With just over a second remaining and the Lakers leading by two points, Smart tried to inbound the ball to Rui Hachimura. Unfortunately, he stepped on the end line, resulting in a turnover that gave the Spurs one last chance.
San Antonio had the opportunity to take the lead, but they failed to capitalize when Julian Champagne went to the free throw line with only 0.2 seconds left, allowing the Lakers to hold on for the win.
Smart's Response
“I take full ownership of it. They are going to joke with me. They are going to let me hear about it. But it will never happen again.”
“As a 12-year vet, I can’t make that mistake.”
Smart openly accepted responsibility and expressed determination not to repeat the error.
Key Factors in the Victory
The Lakers overcame a nine-point fourth-quarter deficit thanks to Luka Doncic's impressive 35-point performance, leading the comeback with crucial shots and composed play.
Marcus Smart's rare lapse nearly cost the Lakers the game, but his accountability and the team's resilience secured the hard-fought victory.