Marcus Smart is mounting his defense after taking heat for a dangerous play on Steph Curry.
The Golden State Warriors star Curry was injured during Wednesday’s game against the Boston Celtics when the Celtics guard Smart rolled over onto his foot while diving on the floor for a loose ball.
https://twitter.com/GoIdenState/status/1504291701166419974
Curry immediately left the game and did not return. Smart received backlash for the play, including from Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, who confronted him immediately after the incident (video here).
After the game, which Boston won 110-88, Smart addressed the criticism.
“I didn’t see [Curry],” he said, per The Mercury News’ Dieter Kurtenbach. “I saw the ball, I dove for the ball, trying to make a play. Unfortunately that occurred.”
“I’m sure I’m going to get called dirty,” Smart continued. “But I know who I am… I play very hard and I leave everything on the court… My teammates, my colleagues, they know I’m not a dirty player.”
The two-time All-Defensive First Teamer Smart is one of the NBA’s marquee hustle players and makes a living of getting down and dirty for loose balls and extra possessions. But he has also faced accusations throughout his career of being a dirty player, even dating back several years.
Curry will miss a decent amount of time with the injury, which is concerning with the playoffs starting in just about a month. He is also one of the biggest stars in the game today, so very few will likely side with Smart here.
