History of Marcus Smart in Timeline

Marcus Smart is a professional basketball player currently with the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA. Renowned for his defensive prowess and versatility, he is a three-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection. In 2022, Smart earned the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, distinguishing himself as only the second point guard to achieve this honor, following Gary Payton. Before his NBA career, Smart played college basketball for the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1971: Last Celtics player triple-double off the bench

In 1971 Art Williams was the last Celtics player before Marcus Smart to record a triple-double off the bench.

March 6, 1994: Marcus Smart Born

Marcus Osmond Smart was born on March 6, 1994, in Flower Mound, Texas, to Billy Frank Smart and Camellia Smart.

Others born on this day/year

1996: Gary Payton Wins Defensive Player of the Year

In 1996, Gary Payton won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award.

2010: Celtics Last Finals Appearance

In 2010 was the Celtics' last NBA Finals appearance before 2022 where Smart would advance to the NBA Finals for the first time in his career.

2012: Team USA U18 Record

In 2012, Marcus Smart set a new Team USA U18 record for steals over a five-game period at the FIBA Americas U18 Championships in Brazil, grabbing 18 steals.

2012: Ranked as Top Prospect

In 2012, Marcus Smart was considered a five-star recruit by ESPN.com, listed as the No. 1 shooting guard and the No. 10 player in the nation.

April 17, 2013: Smart Returns to OSU

On April 17, 2013, Marcus Smart announced at a press conference he would return to Oklahoma State University (OSU) for his sophomore season, forgoing the NBA draft.

November 19, 2013: Tied OSU Single Game Scoring Record

On November 19, 2013, Marcus Smart tied an Oklahoma State University (OSU) single game scoring record with 39 points leading the #7-seed Oklahoma State Cowboys past the #11-seed Memphis.

February 8, 2014: Shoved Fan and Suspension

On February 8, 2014, during a game at Texas Tech, Marcus Smart shoved a fan after a verbal altercation. He received a technical foul and was subsequently suspended for three games.

April 7, 2014: Declared for NBA Draft

On April 7, 2014, Marcus Smart declared for the NBA draft, forgoing his final two years of college eligibility.

June 26, 2014: Drafted by the Boston Celtics

On June 26, 2014, Marcus Smart was selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics.

2014: NCAA Tournament Performance

During the first game of the 2014 NCAA tournament, Marcus Smart finished with 23 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and six steals, becoming the first player in tournament history to record 20 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and five steals.

2014: Drafted into the NBA

In 2014, Marcus Smart was drafted with the sixth overall pick in the NBA Draft.

March 18, 2015: Season-High Scoring Game

On March 18, 2015, Marcus Smart scored a season-high 25 points in a 122–118 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

July 16, 2015: Dislocated Fingers

On July 16, 2015, while playing for the Celtics at the Las Vegas Summer League, Marcus Smart dislocated two fingers on his right hand.

January 15, 2016: First Career Triple-Double

On January 15, 2016, Marcus Smart recorded his first career triple-double with 10 points, 11 assists, and 11 rebounds in a 117–103 victory over the Phoenix Suns.

November 9, 2016: Season-High Points

On November 9, 2016, Marcus Smart scored a then season-high 20 points in a 118–93 loss to the Washington Wizards.

January 7, 2017: Season-High Points

On January 7, 2017, Marcus Smart scored a season-high 22 points in a 117–108 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.

November 27, 2017: Season-High in Points

On November 27, 2017, Marcus Smart scored a season-high 23 points in a 118–108 loss to the Detroit Pistons.

March 16, 2018: Ruled out for remainder of regular season

On March 16, 2018, Marcus Smart was ruled out for the rest of the regular season with a torn ligament in his right thumb.

June 29, 2018: Celtics Tendered Qualifying Offer

On June 29, 2018, the Celtics tendered a qualifying offer to make Marcus Smart a restricted free agent.

September 16, 2018: Death of Camellia Smart

On September 16, 2018, Camellia Smart, Marcus Smart's mother, passed away from myelodysplastic syndrome.

2018: Became Starting Point Guard

In 2018, Marcus Smart became the starting point guard for the Celtics.

January 18, 2020: Career-High Points Scored

On January 18, 2020, Marcus Smart scored a career-high 37 points in a 123–119 loss to the Phoenix Suns. He broke the Celtics record for three pointers in a single game with 11.

April 28, 2021: Suspended for Threatening Language

On April 28, 2021, Marcus Smart was suspended for one game without pay for directing threatening language towards a game official.

August 16, 2021: Re-signed with Celtics

On August 16, 2021, Marcus Smart re-signed with the Celtics to a four-year, $77 million contract extension.

October 14, 2021: Suspended for Missing Team Flight

On October 14, 2021, Marcus Smart was suspended for the team's final preseason game for missing a team flight to Florida.

2021: Named NBA Defensive Player of the Year

In 2021 Marcus Smart was named the 2021-22 NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

2021: Named Celtics' starting point guard

In 2021, Marcus Smart was named the Celtics' starting point guard.

February 2022: Longest-Tenured Celtic

As of February 2022, Marcus Smart was the longest-tenured member of the Celtics' team.

April 18, 2022: Named NBA Defensive Player of the Year

On April 18, 2022, Marcus Smart was named the 2021-22 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, the first guard to win the award since Gary Payton in 1996.

May 19, 2022: Playoff Career-High Assists

On May 19, 2022, in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Marcus Smart recorded a playoff career-high 12 assists along with 24 points in a victory over the Miami Heat.

2022: Reached NBA Finals

In 2022, Marcus Smart helped the Celtics reach the NBA Finals.

2022: NBA Defensive Player of the Year

In 2022, Marcus Smart was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

June 22, 2023: Traded to Memphis Grizzlies

On June 22, 2023, Marcus Smart was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of a three-team deal.

October 25, 2023: Grizzlies Debut

On October 25, 2023, Marcus Smart made his Grizzlies debut, recording 17 points in a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.

2023: 2023 NBA Playoffs Stats

In the 2023 NBA playoffs, Marcus Smart averaged 14.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.

2024: Averaged Career Best

At the 2024 NBA All-Star break, Marcus Smart averaged a career best 14.4 points alongside 2.0 steals.

2024: Protected First-Round Pick

In 2024 a top-four-protected first-round pick was sent to the Celtics via Golden State Warriors as part of a trade.

February 6, 2025: Traded to Washington Wizards

On February 6, 2025, Marcus Smart was traded to the Washington Wizards along with Colby Jones and Alex Len.

July 2025: Signed with the Los Angeles Lakers

In July 2025, Marcus Smart signed a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers after a buyout agreement with the Washington Wizards.

July 22, 2025: Signed with Los Angeles Lakers

On July 22, 2025, Marcus Smart signed a two-year, $11 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.

December 2025: Fined for obscene gesture

In December 2025, Marcus Smart was fined $35,000 for making an obscene gesture towards a game official at halftime during a game against the Utah Jazz.