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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 12: Marcus Smart #36 of the Los Angeles Lakers complains to a referee during action against the Dallas Mavericks in the first half at Crypto.com Arena on February 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Wally Skalij/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers pulled it off again. Another playoff victory with the odds stacked against them.
Some true purple and gold history is taking place in front of our very eyes.
Trailing by six points with just half-a-minute to play in regulation, it felt like the Houston Rockets without Kevin Durant were ready to pull within one win in the series. After all, they were at home and possessed all the late-game momentum.
Then Houston had a problem. That should’ve been plural. Problems.
Similar to what has plagued them throughout the year, the Rockets fell flat on their faces in the final second of regulation, effectively handing the Lakers a pivotal win to push their series lead to a commanding 3-0.
GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 28: JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Sacramento Kings during the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena on December 28, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
But that doesn’t mean these Lakers simply got a freebie. Their heavy guns of the series, LeBron James and Marcus Smart, stepped up with critical plays down the stretch.
L.A. exited Toyota Center with a heart full of good feels. Houston left the building questioning its existence.
This series is potentially one more game from being officially decided.
Two words, one name: Marcus Smart. Heck, let’s pull out the government name for this one.
Marcus Osmond Smart. The 32-year-old former journeyman masquerading as Luka Doncic. What a time to be a Lakers fan.
Smart is an “unlikely” contributor because of where the Lakers were just three weeks ago.
Smart was dealing with an ankle injury, but the Lakers just kept winning games behind the majestic play of Doncic and the team’s second-leading scorer Austin Reaves. With how these two were playing, it wouldn’t have been a stretch to think Smart would’ve gotten minimal playoff minutes, despite him having plenty of postseason experience to boast.
Instead, Doncic and Reaves went down with unfortunate same-day injuries. Smart soon returned to the lineup. L.A. was walking into the postseason severely shorthanded, giving Smart more of a featured role.
And, boy, has he ever stepped up to the plate.
Maybe “stepping up to plate” isn’t doing him justice; he has been absolutely stellar.
After Friday’s overtime victory in Houston, the Lakers announced Smart became the first player in franchise history to have back-to-back playoff games with at least 20 points and five steals.
We aren’t talking about the same franchise that’s seen guys like Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal and Marcus Smart walk through the building now, are we?
Oh, we are.
It’s no accident the Lakers are up 3-0. Smart, despite no longer having his fresh legs of the past and Defensive Player of the Year identity, has given his team superstar level production through the first three games of the first round.
Might as well call him Luka-lite.
Smart is averaging 20.3 points, 8.3 assists, 3.7 steals and 1.7 blocks per game. He has hit eight of his 16 tries from the 3-point line.
Smart averaging 20 points on over 50% shooting overall and 50% from 3 in the playoffs in 2026?
Even that happened before GTA 6.
Adel Ahmad Adel is a writer with over five years of experience covering the NBA. His work has appeared on various media platforms, both national and local. More about Adel Ahmad
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