The Los Angeles Lakers could be without Marcus Smart during Friday's NBA Cup clash against the Dallas Mavericks.

Looking back, Smart said his toughness was forged at an early age when his oldest brother, Todd, died of cancer in 2004. During an appearance on the "Run Your Race" podcast with Theo Pinson, Smart recalled the moment he realized failure was not an option for him.

The veteran guard is nursing back spasms, and he's likely to require at least one game to recover. With Smart unlikely to play, his absence would free up some minutes for Gabe Vincent and Jake LaRavia for those in need of a streamer in deep leagues.

In the final possession, Keyonte George was pushed to the floor by Marcus Smart while attempting to navigate around a screen.

Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick compared the Marcus Smart signing to when he signed with the L.A. Clippers

Marcus Smart may have a new team, but he is still the same old Marcus Smart. During the second quarter at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, Smart came up to set a ball screen for Lakers teammate Luka Doncic. Curry, who was matched up with Smart ...