Why has Marcus Smart been fined $25K by the NBA? Exploring the incident that led to the Boston Celtics guard getting fined

On Monday, Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart was fined $25,000 for his recent altercation with Atlanta Hawks star point guard Trae Young. However, Smart did not receive a suspension for the altercation.

The incident occurred with 1:25 left in the fourth quarter of the Celtics’ 134-125 win over Atlanta on Saturday. Smart was called for a foul on Young. He then went over to Young and initiated a face-to-face confrontation before tackling him to the ground. Both players were later assessed technical fouls, with Smart also getting ejected from the game.

What did NBA referees and the league say about Marcus Smart's altercation with Trae Young?

Atlanta Hawks star point guard Trae Young and Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart engaged in an on-court altercation on Saturday

Following the game, the official's crew chief, Sean Wright, told reporters that Marcus Smart was ejected “for the grab and takedown of Trae Young.” He added that Young received a technical foul "for getting up and pointing in Marcus Smart’s face.”

This is in line with the NBA’s official statement on why Smart was fined, which highlighted that Smart was the instigator of the altercation:

“Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart has been fined $25,000 for initiating an on-court altercation and pulling Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young to the floor,” the statement read.

Smart and the Celtics (47-22, second in the East) have since played again on Monday, falling 111-109 to the Rockets (16-52, 15th in the West).

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