Marcus Smart Got Caught Trying Dirty Move on Steph Curry in Warriors-Lakers Game

Kristen Wong | Oct 22, 2025

Marcus Smart received a flagrant foul for a seemingly dirty move on Steph Curry in the Warriors vs. Lakers season-opener on Tuesday. / Screengrab on YouTube/ @ChazNBA

The Warriors kicked off their 2025 campaign with a thrilling win over the Lakers in Tuesday night's season-opener in part thanks to stars Jimmy Butler and Steph Curry, who put up 31 and 23 points respectively.

No thanks to a certain Lakers player, Curry's night could have been cruelly cut short after he was on the receiving end of a dirty play in the second quarter. Marcus Smart, who joined the Lakers on a two-year deal this past offseason, wasted no time getting after Curry on the court, and was caught taking a cheap shot at the two-time MVP that could have ended very badly.

On a Lakers' possession, Curry was defending Smart and the two got tangled at the top of the arc. Smart then hooked Curry's right arm and violently pulled him forward, causing Curry to fall onto the floor. Referees reviewed the play and issued Smart a flagrant for the seemingly dirty move: "After review, Smart grabs, clamps and twists the shoulder of Curry. That contact is unnecessary with a high potential for injury. It's been upgraded to a Flagrant Foul Penalty 1."

You can watch that foul here:

Marcus Smart gets a flagrant 1 for doing this to Curry. He keeps talking to him well after the announcement. pic.twitter.com/Feehj6Bjgc

— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) October 22, 2025

Thankfully, Curry didn't seem to be seriously injured, and the two exchanged some choice words afterward.

Many NBA fans cried foul play on Smart's shoulder-twisting move on Curry, especially given the former Celtics player's history.

Marcus Smart nearly ripped off Curry’s right arm. Dirty play.

— Bonta Hill (@BontaHill) October 22, 2025

Marcus Smart doing dirtbag stuff in the first game of the season trying to hurt Curry's shoulder.

— Jim Park🏀🌌 (@Sheridanblog) October 22, 2025

This is dirty as hell from Marcus Smart…

What on earth was he trying to do besides rip Steph Curry’s shoulder out? Yikes. Bad bad bad. pic.twitter.com/JkusNGNRek

— Josh Reynolds (@JoshReynolds24) October 22, 2025

Marcus smart legitimately could’ve broken Steph curry arm pic.twitter.com/OjCazqVqsd

— John (@iam_johnw) October 22, 2025

Marcus Smart almost dislocated Steph Curry’s shoulder 😳 pic.twitter.com/5Dea5UC6og

— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) October 22, 2025

Curry ended up getting the last laugh in the 119-109 win, delivering one of his signature daggers late in the fourth quarter to clinch the Warriors' first victory of the young season.

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