Marcus Smart Goes Off on Referee After Controversial Adou Thiero Ejection Sparks More Drama During Lakers-Rockets

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Marcus Smart Goes Off on Referee After Controversial Adou Thiero Ejection Sparks More Drama During Lakers-Rockets

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports
By Debmallya Chakraborty | Last updated Apr 27, 2026 1:46 PM ET

LeBron James’ time in the NBA might be coming to an end soon. But before that, the Los Angeles Lakers would want to hand him a fifth NBA ring. Playing in the postseason against the Houston Rockets, the purple and gold brigade looked confident. Leading the series 3-1, the Lakers came to game 4 trying to wrap up the series. Unfortunately, not only did they lose, but Marcus Smart had a fiery interaction with the referee.

Making his debut in the playoffs, Adou Thiero came onto the court and was having a decent time. But with 1:11 remaining on the clock, something bizarre happened. After the clash with Aaron Holiday, referee James Williams ejected both Thiero and Holiday.

Such a call made the fans dumbfounded. It also had Smart fuming. Immediately after the decision, the Lakers star charged toward the referee and complained about the ejection.

Marcus Smart WENT OFF on referee James Williams after he ejected Thiero for NO reason.

This is the same ref Devin Booker called out pic.twitter.com/vZJe9gHqPJ
— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) April 27, 2026

The Lakers came into the game and suffered a 96–115 loss that gutted them. Despite taking on the leadership role, Smart could only chime in with 9 points, as JJ Redick and his team would have to wait a bit longer to secure round 2.

Meanwhile, the 32-year-old star was not the only one unhappy with James Williams.

Before Marcus Smart, Devin Booker Had A Problem With James Williams

The Phoenix Suns lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 of their postseason season, round 1. Now, while this was a pretty concerning result, Suns’ star Devin Booker looked furious with the officiating. And the person in question? Well, James Williams. Following a technical foul from the referee, Booker termed it as ‘terrible.’

“It’s definitely something that has to be looked into. I heard Caruso tell them to call the tech and he ended up doing it. In my 11 years, I haven’t called a ref out by name, but James [Williams] was terrible tonight, through and through. It’s bad for the sport, bad for the integrity of the sport. People are going to start viewing this as the WWE if they’re not held responsible,” said Booker.

Devin Booker:

"It's definitely something that has to be looked into…In my 11 years, I haven't called a ref out by name, but James was terrible tonight, through and through…”

(h/t @ohnohedidnt24) pic.twitter.com/jCOETvMuFq
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 23, 2026