Who thought that the Los Angeles Lakers would be heading to Houston leading the Rockets 2-0? If either side was supposed to have that advantage, it was Ime Udoka's club. JJ Redick's team is trying to survive without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Yes, their opposition didn't have Kevin Durant in the series opener. And his knee injury clearly hampered him in Game 2. However, there's a reason the purple and gold entered this series as significant underdogs in the eyes of the oddsmakers.
Perhaps it would have been 1-1 as this best-of-seven moves to the Lone Star State. However, Marcus Smart is at the heart of why that's not the case. The former Boston Celtics' floor general delivered one of the best playoff games of his career in Wednesday's 101-94 win.
The 12th-year guard generated 25 points in the victory. That's the third-most he has produced in a playoff setting. He knocked down 8 of the 13 shots he hoisted. That included five of his seven attempts from beyond the arc. Not only did Smart step up to help shoulder the scoring load in the absence of Doncic and Reaves, but he also dished out seven assists.
Of course, the former Defensive Player of the Year with the Celtics isn't one to slack off at the other end of the floor. His offensive workload didn't deter him from taking on the challenge of guarding Durant. The four-time scoring champion coughed the ball up nine times. That's his most turnovers in a playoff game.
"He's battle-tested. A guy who's been to the Finals, been to multiple playoff games, big games in his career. So, obviously, he's not afraid of the moment," said James after the Lakers' Game 2 win. "He's always been assigned some of the best players that [have] ever played this game in his career."
Marcus Smart grateful for his opportunity with the Lakers
James poured in a game-high 28 points in the victory. He nearly notched a triple-double, registering eight rebounds and seven assists as well. However, with Los Angeles shorthanded, Smart's stepping up made sure his output wasn't in vain.
"To have someone like that, it just brings a lot of composure to our team, especially when we're missing -- I hate to beat a dead horse, but it's two big horses -- with AR and Luka out," voiced James. "So, to have that, it means a lot to our ballclub."
From his perspective, the 32-year-old guard is just grateful to have opportunities like this again. After leaving Boston, he spent years away from the playoff stage. Now, on the NBA's glamour franchise -- and the Celtics' archrival -- he is relishing his chance to prove himself when it matters most again.
"I've very grateful to be doing this... I could have been out of the league."
— NBA (@NBA) April 22, 2026
After scoring 25 PTS (5 3PM) in tonight's win, Marcus Smart expressed endless gratitude!
Lakers take a 2-0 series lead 🍿 https://t.co/DoSlfXRbBm pic.twitter.com/SuKrfJNOqJ
"I'm very grateful to be doing this," Smart told reporters postgame. "I thank God every day, because I could have been out [of] the league, right? Injuries and things like that. So, to be able to be back on this stage again, making the plays that I'm making with these guys, with this team, this organization, I'm just grateful."
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