Witnesses reported that the disagreement escalated quickly, prompting Smart, who was in attendance, to intervene. Known for his competitive spirit and dedication to the Celtics during his tenure, Smart expressed disappointment over the incident, emphasizing that he does not tolerate disrespect. In a post-game interview, he recounted the moment, stating, “We all know I don’t do line crossing, so that was it. Unfortunate, especially for a guy who’s coming back and has given the city everything.”