History of Marcus Smart in Timeline

Marcus Smart is a professional basketball player currently playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. He's renowned for his exceptional and versatile defensive skills, earning three NBA All-Defensive First Team selections. In 2022, he was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year, distinguishing himself as only the second point guard in history, after Gary Payton, to achieve this honor. Smart's collegiate career was spent playing basketball for the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1971: Last Celtics Triple-Double off the Bench

In 1971, Art Williams was the last Celtics player to record a triple-double off the bench before Marcus Smart's achievement on January 15, 2016.

March 6, 1994: Marcus Smart's Birth

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: Last Guard to win Defensive Player of the Year

In 1996, Gary Payton was the last guard to win the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, until Marcus Smart won it on April 18, 2022.

2010: Celtics' Last NBA Finals Appearance

In 2010 was the Celtics' last NBA Finals appearance until Marcus Smart advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time in his career in May 2022.

2012: FIBA Americas U18 Championships Record

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

2012: Ranked 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 he would return to OSU for his sophomore season, forgoing the NBA draft.

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: Altercation with a Fan

On February 8, 2014, during a game at Texas Tech, Marcus Smart shoved a fan in the stands after a verbal altercation and received a technical foul.

April 7, 2014: Declared for the 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: Drafted into the NBA

In 2014, Marcus Smart was drafted into the NBA as the sixth overall pick.

2014: Naismith College Player of the Year Finalist

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

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

On July 16, 2015, while playing for the Celtics at the 2015 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 with Thumb Injury

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: Qualifying Offer from the Celtics

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, Marcus Smart's mother, Camellia Smart, died of myelodysplastic syndrome.

2018: Starting Point Guard for the Celtics

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

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.

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: Named Celtics' starting point guard

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

2021: NBA All-Defensive First Team

In 2021, Marcus Smart was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team. He received more first-place votes than any other NBA player.

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, 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 Celtics reach the NBA Finals.

2022: NBA Defensive Player of the Year

In 2022, Marcus Smart was the NBA Defensive Player of the Year. He is the second point guard after Gary Payton to receive the honor.

June 22, 2023: Traded to the 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, putting up 17 points, three assists, and two steals in a 111–104 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.

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: Top-Four-Protected First-Round Pick to Celtics

As part of the June 22, 2023 trade that sent Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies, the Grizzlies sent a top-four-protected 2024 first-round pick (via Golden State Warriors) to the Celtics.

2024: Career Best 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.

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.