Minutes after he was called for his first technical following his fourth foul about three minutes into the third quarter Saturday night in Atlanta, Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart was ejected following an altercation with the Hawks' DeAndre' Bembry.
Smart and Bembry had to be separated after an exchange of words as players lined up for a jump ball. After being restrained by teammates and coaches, Smart broke free and charged toward Bembry before being restrained again.
Bembry also was called for a technical foul following a video review.
"I need to go back and watch it before I react to it," Boston coach Brad Stevens said after the Celtics' 113-105 victory. "From what I saw, obviously, deserved to be ejected. And, I don't know what was said. I haven't asked [Smart], I haven't talked to him about it, but, obviously there's league punishment for that type of stuff. Can't react that way."
Smart did not talk with reporters after the game.
"He lost his cool after the ref told him he's ejected," Bembry said. "I think after that he just thought he had nothing else to lose."
Bembry said it wasn't unusual to see Smart lose control.
Kyrie Irving said it was on the Celtics to finish strong after Smart was tossed.
"I just think that we accept Marcus for who he is, in terms of being fiery," said Irving, who had a game-high 32 points. "You know, bringing that type of energy. You know, s--- happens sometimes where the game goes like that and an altercation happens, we just gotta pick right back up. I think it was a five- or six-point game at that point, so, you know, he knew what the score was. He knew he had one tech, he's responsible for that; it's our responsibility to pick him up, and finish out the game strong."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
