November 27, 2024

Marcus Smart ejected, held back by Joe Mazzulla in dismal Celtics performance against Thunder

Celtics #Celtics

It was a frustrating night for the Celtics in Oklahoma City and Marcus Smart took out some of that frustration on officials in the third quarter of the blowout loss against the Thunder, resulting in his ejection.

Smart was tossed with 2:46 remaining in the third quarter with the Celtic trailing by 28 points after being whistled for his second technical foul of the game. The point guard was actually being subbed out of the game for Sam Hauser when the technical was called but Smart appeared to be voicing some complaints after a shooting foul was not called on his drive to the basket. Instead, officials determined it was a foul on the floor by Mike Muscala and that left Smart chirping to the officials as he walked towards the Celtics bench.

Ultimately, one of the officials heard enough and whistled Smart for his second technical of the night which drew a sharp reaction from the veteran guard. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla and others had to hold Smart back as he tried to charge down the court and express his displeasure with the technical. Cooler heads prevailed and Smart headed back to the Boston locker room without incident as Sam Hauser subbed into the game in his place.

The ejection capped a disappointing homecoming for the Oklahoma State product who finished with seven points and eight assists and was an ugly minus-26 over his 25 minutes.

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