Warriors head coach Steve Kerr confronted Celtics guard Marcus Smart for two dangerous plays involving Steph Curry and Klay Thompson.
Draymond Green and Juan Toscano-Anderson may not consider Celtics guard Marcus Smart to have played dirty against them, but that doesn’t mean the Warriors-Celtics game was free from confrontation.
The Celtics defeated the Warriors 110-88, but that’s largely because Steph Curry was reduced to 14 minutes and three points. Curry didn’t get his usual time because Smart dove at his ankles to steal the ball, which caused a sprained ligament injury that will have Curry sidelined indefinitely.
The Warriors staff was upset with both of these Marcus Smart plays. First one was a roll up of Steph Curry's leg that has him currently in the locker room, second ruled a flagrant on Klay Thompson. Kerr was telling refs to review both plays, mimicking a leg chop to officials. pic.twitter.com/6edSJxQszv
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 17, 2022
Steph Curry did not return to the game after an apparent injury on this play.
— ESPN (@espn) March 17, 2022
Steve Kerr seemed unhappy with Marcus Smart. pic.twitter.com/MyD0ppVQtY
Another angle of Marcus Smart and Klay getting tangled up 😮 pic.twitter.com/IgbtvTEWOw
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) March 17, 2022
Before that, Smart somehow entangled his ankle with Klay Thompson’s arm as he blocked his shot. It worked, as Thompson’s ball shot out of bounds, but Smart’s use of his limbs became a cause for concern for Warriors coach Steve Kerr.
Kerr was seen speaking with Smart as Smart shook his head, likely stressing that he didn’t intend to hurt anyone. The crowd boos, and although Warriors players don’t think the aggressive plays were intentionally harmful, it still cost the Warriors dearly in losing Curry.
Steve Kerr upset with Marcus Smart over reckless plays affecting Steph Curry, Klay Thompson
According to Toscano-Anderson and Green, the dive for the ball was an aggressive play for possession of the ball that had unintended consequences. While NBA players can be skilled at disguising dirty plays with physical play, Green related honestly to Smart, saying that he’s accidentally kicked players too.
"I don't think it was a dirty play"
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) March 17, 2022
JTA shares his take on Marcus Smart rolling over Steph's foot while fighting for a loose ball pic.twitter.com/SbuQQecTwE
Draymond on Marcus Smart's dive into Steph while chasing a loose ball:
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) March 17, 2022
"I can't call that a dirty play" pic.twitter.com/5xfsaxbS79
Draymond on Smart kicking Klay: "I saw the kick, but shit happens. I've kicked somebody before. It is what it is."
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) March 17, 2022
Smart himself spoke about the play that injured Curry after the game, saying that Kerr was “backing up his guy”, which was “understandable.”
Marcus Smart addressed exchange with Steve Kerr: "He was doing what he's supposed to do... backing up his guy." pic.twitter.com/B9kXDx36TO
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) March 17, 2022
“Everybody who knows me knows that I’m not trying to hurt anybody,” Smart said. “I made a play that I make every night, and unfortunately — it’s killing me right now — Steph got hurt.”
Kerr spoke after the game on the dive that injured Curry, elaborating that he thought it was a “dangerous play.”
Steve Kerr said he spoke to Marcus Smart after the game about his dive that injured Stephen Curry:
— KNBR (@KNBR) March 17, 2022
"I thought it was a dangerous play." pic.twitter.com/v8qaEyxI2d
Kerr added that Smart is a “hell of a player” that he respects, and even though the coach offered terse words about playing carefully, the two embraced after the game as Kerr congratulated Smart.