Celtics guard Marcus Smart was fined $35,000, but not suspended, for aggressively pursuing an opponent in an altercation with the Hawks’ DeAndre Bemby Saturday night.
The NBA said in a release announcing the fine Monday that Smart was punished for “an attempt to escalate a physical altercation and failing to leave the court in a timely manner following his ejection.” The fine was announced today by Kiki VanDeWeghe, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.
The incident took place after Smart was assessed his second technical foul and was ejected with 7:35 remaining in the third quarter of the Celtics’ 113-105 victory over the Hawks. The two exchanged words while waiting for a jump ball. Later Smart charged Bembry as the teams were being separated and appeared to throw a punch.
Bembry was not fined for the incident. Bembry told reporters after the game he was standing up for rookie Trae Young, who was the subject of an exchange with Smart. Bembry said he was “good on taking a $50,000 fine.”
Bemry was assessed a technical during the initial fracas and will receive a $2,000 fine.
