Marcus Smart Takes Responsibility for Inbounding Error in Lakers' Narrow Win
The Los Angeles Lakers held a slim two-point lead against the San Antonio Spurs with just 1.2 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter on Wednesday, maintaining possession of the ball. However, Marcus Smart made a critical mistake during an inbound pass attempt.
Smart stepped on the end line while passing to Rui Hachimura, resulting in a turnover that gave the Spurs a last chance to score. Julian Champagnie was fouled while driving to the basket by Lakers forward Jake LaRavia with only 0.2 seconds left on the clock.
- Champagnie missed his first free throw.
- He intentionally missed the second, trying to create a buzzer-beater tip-in opportunity.
- Despite this, the Lakers managed to hold on and secure a 118-116 victory.
"I couldn't believe it," Smart said. "I mean, I think when I released the ball, they said I stepped over [the line]. I'm like, we see the play all the time when a guy gets the ball out quick and his leg is [hovering past the line] and he still inbounds it and he throws the ball in and there is no call."
Smart finished the game with 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, shooting a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line. He reflected that if the pass had been clean, time would have expired before the Spurs had a chance to foul.
"To have that call at the end of the game, 1."
This misstep was unusual for Smart, but the Lakers’ defense and composure allowed them to maintain their lead and win.
Author's Summary
Marcus Smart admitted a late-game inbounding error that nearly cost the Lakers a win, but the team’s resilience helped secure a tight 118-116 victory over the Spurs.