Marcus Smart Takes Responsibility for Inbounding Error in Lakers' Narrow Win
The Lakers held a slim two-point lead against the Spurs with just 1.2 seconds left in the fourth quarter on Wednesday. At that crucial moment, Marcus Smart made an inbounding mistake that almost cost Los Angeles the game.
Smart stepped on the end line while trying to pass the ball inbounds to Rui Hachimura. This resulted in a turnover, giving possession to the Spurs.
In the final 0.2 seconds, Julian Champagnie was fouled by Lakers forward Jake LaRavia as he drove toward the basket. Champagnie missed the first free throw and intentionally missed the second, trying to create a tip-in chance at the buzzer, but the Lakers held on to win 118-116.
"I couldn't believe it," Smart admitted. "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 throws the ball in and there is no call."
Smart finished the game with 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, going a perfect 10-for-10 on free throws. He believed that if he had executed the pass cleanly, the clock would have run out before the Spurs could foul again.
Summary
Marcus Smart acknowledged his inbounding error that nearly cost the Lakers a win but ultimately contributed 17 points and flawless free throw shooting in a tight 118-116 victory.