Bill Maher injured after NBA player slams into him courtside at Lakers game

Bill Maher got more than he bargained for with a courtside seat to see the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers play.

The television host experienced the thrill of the NBA game at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday as Lakers guard Marcus Smart attempted to handle a loose ball, crashing into Maher, who sat courtside.

Bill Maher (finger) remains courtside after collision with Marcus Smart pic.twitter.com/tNK94PPyR6

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) March 8, 2026

While the two did not seem to suffer any serious injury from the collision, Maher showed the effects on his finger to the cameras.

“Meanwhile, Smart seemed to have hurt his left hand. After missing a corner 3-point shot, the veteran guard was seen favoring his injured appendage,” the Daily Mail reported.

“When Smart checked out of the game moments later, he continued to appear injured. But he eventually returned to play the remainder of the contest,” the outlet added.

Marcus Smart took out Bill Maher pic.twitter.com/ODam0krrIN

— Lakers Lead (@LakersLead) March 8, 2026

Maher joined several other celebrities, from actors to musicians and comedians, on hand for Sunday’s matchup.

Some of the celebrities sitting courtside this afternoon for Knicks vs. Lakers on ABC:

Ray Nicholson (son of Jack), Flea, Knicks’ owner James Dolan, Rich Paul, Martin Lawrence, Influencer Jordan Howlett (Jordan the Stallion 8), Patrick Ewing, Dwight Howard, Action Bronson, Bill… pic.twitter.com/hHwt7hafoG

— Michael J. Duarte (@michaeljduarte) March 8, 2026

The Lakers ended up beating the Knicks 110-97.

Social media users had little sympathy for Maher, and reactions seemed to applaud Smart for unintentionally crashing into the host of HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher.”

bill maher finally took a hit he didn’t see coming

— DrakeN 魔人 (@draken1721) March 9, 2026

best play of Marcus smart’s late career

— JDUB (@CHIonReal) March 9, 2026

Hope bill Maher is not okay

— Joe (@Joe_D1888) March 9, 2026

Don’t make me like the lakers.

— sscilli (@sscilli) March 9, 2026

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