History of Marcus Smart in Timeline

Marcus Smart is an American professional basketball player renowned for his defensive prowess. Currently playing for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA, he's recognized as one of the best and most versatile defenders of his era. Smart has earned three NBA All-Defensive First Team selections and was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2022, distinguishing himself as only the second point guard to receive this honor. Before his NBA career, Smart played college basketball for the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1971: Art William's triple-double

In 1971, Art Williams recorded a triple-double off the bench, being the first Celtics player since then to do so until Marcus Smart.

March 6, 1994: Marcus Smart's Birth

On March 6, 1994, Marcus Osmond Smart was born 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, being the last guard to win the award until Marcus Smart.

2010: Celtics' Last NBA Finals Appearance

In 2010, the Celtics made their last NBA Finals appearance before Marcus Smart helped them advance to the NBA Finals for the first time in his career in 2022.

2012: Team USA U18 Record

In 2012, Marcus Smart set a new Team USA U18 record for steals, grabbing 18 during the FIBA Americas U18 Championships in Brazil.

2012: Ranked as Top Recruit

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 that he would not declare for the NBA draft and would instead return to Oklahoma State University (OSU) for his sophomore season.

November 19, 2013: Smart Scores 39 Points

On November 19, 2013, Marcus Smart scored 39 points, leading the #7-seed Oklahoma State Cowboys past the #11-seed Memphis.

February 8, 2014: Incident at Texas Tech Game

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

April 7, 2014: Smart Declares for NBA Draft

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

June 26, 2014: Drafted by 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: Naismith College Player of the Year Finalist

During the 2014 season, Marcus Smart was named one of the 30 finalists for the Naismith College Player of the Year award.

2014: Drafted by the Boston Celtics

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

March 18, 2015: Season-High 25 Points

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: Finger Dislocation at Summer League

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 20 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 22 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 23 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 Tender 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: Starting Point Guard

In 2018, Marcus Smart became the starting point guard for the Boston Celtics, after initially coming off the bench.

January 18, 2020: Career-High 37 Points

On January 18, 2020, Marcus Smart scored a career-high 37 points in a 123–119 loss to the Phoenix Suns, breaking 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 the 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: NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award

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: NBA Defensive Player of the Year

On April 18, 2022, Marcus Smart was named the 2021-22 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, becoming 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, nine rebounds, and three steals in a 127–102 victory over the Miami Heat.

2022: NBA Finals Appearance

In 2022, Marcus Smart helped the Boston 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, becoming only the second point guard after Gary Payton to win the award. He also helped the Celtics reach the NBA Finals in 2022.

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 debut with the Memphis Grizzlies, recording 17 points in a 111–104 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.

2023: 2023 NBA Playoffs Performance

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

2024: Averages at All-Star Break

At the 2024 NBA All-Star break, Marcus Smart averaged a career best 14.4 points alongside 2.0 steals while playing 30.2 minutes per game.

2024: First-Round Pick

In 2024, the Memphis Grizzlies sent a top-four-protected 2024 first-round pick (via Golden State Warriors) to the Celtics as part of the deal to get Marcus Smart.

February 6, 2025: Traded to the 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 as a free agent.

July 22, 2025: Signed with the 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.