Marcus Smart reflected on the Los Angeles Lakers’ 116-114 comeback over the Phoenix Suns, highlighting key decisions and team resilience. He singled out a pass intended for Jarred Vanderbilt as a moment where he tried to reward a bench player stepping up.
“In my mind, I saw Grayson Allen at first, and I thought he might foul me,” Smart said. “Vando has been a real professional, and I wanted to give him an easy opportunity. Sometimes being too unselfish is selfish.”
Smart praised the team’s performance in challenging moments, emphasizing growth under pressure. “Nothing’s ever going to be perfect, especially in this league,” he said. “When things get hard, we know pressure builds diamonds. That’s the beauty of these games.”
The guard addressed the Lakers’ cohesion during on-court skirmishes, including the exchange between LeBron James and Dillon Brooks. “We stayed together. We always got our teammates’ backs,” Smart said. “It was our guys doing the winning.”
He also noted the impact of late-game momentum swings, including Brooks’ ejection after a crucial three-pointer. “That was another big momentum swing, but we did a good job responding,” Smart said, highlighting the team’s focus and composure.
Smart’s insights underscored the Lakers’ reliance on teamwork and depth in tight games. Bench contributions from Vanderbilt, Jaxson Hayes, Gabe Vincent, and Jake LaRavia were pivotal, offsetting the Suns’ late surge.
The Lakers overcame a 20-point deficit in the fourth quarter, with James sealing the win with two free throws in the final seconds. Phoenix had briefly taken a 114-113 lead before the Lakers regained control.
Smart emphasized that these gritty wins reveal the team’s character. “It shows who we are individually and as a team,” he said. “These games tell you a lot about what we’re going to be.”
With the victory, Los Angeles improved to 18-7, maintaining momentum as they prepare to face Utah on Thursday, while Phoenix falls to 14-12 ahead of a matchup against the Warriors.
