Smart's Unique Contribution in Lakers' Win

In the Los Angeles Lakers' impressive 128-110 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, Marcus Smart took to the court without letting the scoresheet define his performance. While he only registered three points on 1-for-2 shooting, along with an assist and two steals, Smart's contributions extended well beyond those numbers.

"I try not to look at the stats. For me, unfortunately, those stats aren't going to do me any justice," Smart expressed to reporters. He emphasized the importance of teamwork and positivity, pointing out his noteworthy plus-minus rating of +24 in just 21 minutes on the floor as a testament to his impact.

Having signed a two-year deal with the Lakers this summer after an injury-plagued tenure with the Boston Celtics, Smart is motivated to showcase his defensive prowess. He was previously honored as the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year and is focusing on helping his team adopt a more physical style of play. "The team that comes out more physical, the momentum is kind of going their way," he noted, reinforcing the mindset that toughness will set the tone for the Lakers this season.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick shared Smart's sentiments, declaring that his role involves establishing physicality on the court. Smart displayed this aggressive approach effectively against the Timberwolves, even recording a crucial steal against Julius Randle that transitioned into a dunk by Rui Hachimura.

As the Lakers prepare for their next challenge—a road game against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night—fans are eager to see how Smart will continue to influence the game through his defensive skills and physical presence.