DRU SMITH NEWS

Dru Smith's full-circle moment: A year after getting hurt, he helps Heat knock off the Cavaliers | NBA.com After a severe knee injury in a fluke accident while playing the Cavaliers, Dru Smith does the most with a second chance.

DECEMBER 9, 2024 • NBA.COM

Dru Smith's full-circle moment: A year after getting hurt, he helps Heat knock off the Cavaliers

The last time Miami guard Dru Smith faced the Cleveland Cavaliers, he badly hurt his right knee in an awkward fall and couldn’t play again for nearly a year

DECEMBER 9, 2024 • Associated Press

Cleared for Wednesday's game Smith (knee) will suit up for Wednesday's game at the Hornets.

Impact Smith has seen periodic minutes for Miami this season, though coach Erik Spoelstra seems to be searching for a spark, so fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if Smith gets an extra look now and then. In 10.4 minutes per game this season, the guard is averaging 2.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.0 assists.

NOVEMBER 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Probable for Wednesday Smith (knee) is probable for Wednesday's game against the Hornets.

Impact Smith has had a volatile role with the Heat, and he's not guaranteed to see any rotation minutes on a nightly basis.

NOVEMBER 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Out Tuesday Smith (knee) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Bucks.

Impact Smith is slated to miss a second straight game due to a knee injury. His role has been sporadic this season, so his absence shouldn't impact Miami's rotation, especially considering the Heat are getting Terry Rozier (foot) back from a two-game absence.

NOVEMBER 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Tuesday Smith (knee) is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Bucks.

Impact Smith missed Sunday's game against Dallas due to a right knee bone bruise he suffered in Friday's practice, but he remains day-to-day. When the Heat are healthy, Smith faces an uphill battle for consistent minutes.

NOVEMBER 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

No-go Sunday Smith (knee) won't play in Sunday's game against Dallas.

Impact Smith is dealing with swelling in his right knee and wasn't able to participate in Friday's practice. The reserve guard has officially been ruled out for Sunday's contest, and his absence could open up opportunities for Alec Burks and Josh Richardson. Smith's next chance to play will come Tuesday against Milwaukee.

NOVEMBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sits out practice Smith didn't participate in Friday's practice due to a swollen knee, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Impact With Terry Rozier (foot) out for Miami's most recent contest, Smith logged 25 minutes of action. However, with Rozier nearing a return to the lineup, Smith will likely return to a depth role in the team's backcourt. Regardless, the 26-year-old guard's absence from practice is a bad sign of his availability for Sunday's matchup with Dallas.

NOVEMBER 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Back to bench Smith won't start Wednesday's regular-season opener against the Magic.

Impact With most of Miami's regulars resting during the preseason finale, Smith drew a spot start. However, aside from Josh Richardson (shoulder), the Heat are healthy heading into the regular season, so Smith isn't guaranteed playing time on Opening Night.

OCTOBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Starting preseason finale Smith is in the starting lineup for Friday's preseason game against the Grizzlies.

Impact The Heat are resting most of their regulars in the preseason finale since the start of the regular season is right around the corner. Smith will get the nod at point guard in place of Terry Rozier (rest) and will play alongside Pelle Larsson in the backcourt.

OCTOBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Back in Miami Smith (knee) agreed to a two-way contract with the Heat on Monday.

Impact This signing presumably means that Smith has returned to health following a season-ending knee injury that limited him to nine games during the 2023-24 campaign. He averaged 4.3 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 steals in nine appearances before going down with the injury. Smith figures to split time between the Heat and the club's G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.

JULY 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Waived by Miami Smith was cut upon Miami's signing of Patty Mills on Tuesday, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports. Smith is out for the season after tearing his ACL in November.

Impact Smith will look to earn another opportunity next season following his eventual return to health. The 26-year-old averaged 4.3 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists across nine appearances for Miami, although he was averaging a respectable 14.6 minutes prior to suffering a serious fluke injury in which he appeared to fall through an abnormality on the court in Cleveland,

MARCH 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Heat's Dru Smith out for season with knee injury. Duncan Robinson day-to-day, but out vs. Knicks The latest Miami Heat injury updates on Dru Smith and Duncan Robinson.

NOVEMBER 24, 2023 • MIAMIHERALD.COM

Season over Smith (knee) is expected to miss the remainder of the season, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.

Impact An MRI revealed a third degree right knee sprain for Smith, which will result in a premature end to his season. The second-year guard averaged 4.3 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.8 triples across 14.6 minutes in nine games. His absence will thin the depth in Miami's backcourt until they make a corresponding move.

NOVEMBER 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out Friday, getting MRI Smith (knee) is out for Friday's matchup against the Knicks and will be getting an MRI that day, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Impact Smith's role has fluctuated this season based on teammate availability, but now he's the one dealing with an injury. Even if his MRI returns clean, it seems unlikely he'd play Saturday against the Nets, either.

NOVEMBER 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers knee injury, ruled out Smith won't return to Wednesday's game against the Cavaliers due to a right knee injury.

Impact After jumping to contest a three-pointer, Smith's right leg came down into what appeared to be an opening underneath the Cavaliers bench and immediately left the contest. He won't return with what is being called a right knee injury, and he'll finish the contest scoreless in one minute. Expect, Josh Richardson and Jaime Jaquez to see more work off the bench. Smith's next chance to play will come Friday against the Knicks -- the first of a back-to-back set.

NOVEMBER 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dru Smith taking advantage of Heat opportunity. Also, Duncan Robinson on viral moment With the Heat short-handed early this season, guard Dru Smith has taken advantage of his opportunity to play extended minutes.

NOVEMBER 14, 2023 • MIAMIHERALD.COM

Upgraded to standard contract The Heat signed Smith to a multi-year standard NBA contract Saturday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

Impact After making 15 NBA appearances in 2022-23 between the Heat and Nets and averaging 2.9 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 10.5 minutes, Smith re-signed with Miami on a two-way pact in July. The Heat had an opening on the 15-man roster, and Smith will ultimately step in to fill the void while Miami keeps Cole Swider, R.J. Hampton and Jamal Cain as its three two-way players heading into the start of the regular season. It's unclear if Smith will open the season with a regular spot in head coach Erik Spoelstra's rotation.

OCTOBER 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared to play Smith (hamstring) is available for Wednesday's preseason game against the Nets, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.

Impact Smith missed the previous contest due to a hamstring injury but will be back in action Wednesday. He figures to handle a major role, as Miami has a handful of regulars sidelined versus Brooklyn for various reasons.

OCTOBER 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out with hamstring issue Smith won't play in Sunday's preseason game against the Grizzlies due to a hamstring injury, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Impact Smith was solid in a spot start Friday, posting 13 points in 26 minutes, but it appears he picked up a hamstring injury as well. It's unclear how severe the injury is, but his next chance to suit up will come Wednesday against Brooklyn.

OCTOBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gets start Friday Smith will start Friday's preseason game against the Spurs, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.

Impact The Heat have 10 players ruled out, including all of their normal starters. Smith will be joined by Duncan Robinson, Jamal Cain, Haywood Highsmith and Thomas Bryant in the starting five, and they all figure to play heavy minutes with Miami shorthanded.

OCTOBER 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Steps in as backup point guard Smith supplied five points (2-3 FG, 1-1 3Pt), two rebounds and two steals over 12 minutes in Tuesday's 116-112 loss to the Suns.

Impact With trades and injuries having tested the Nets' depth of late, Smith has assumed backup point guard duties for the NBA team the past two games after he had played exclusively in the G League since inking a two-way deal with Brooklyn on Jan. 13. Though Smith averaged a respectable 3.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals in 12.5 minutes behind back-to-back losses to the Clippers and Suns, he'll presumably be headed out of the NBA rotation and back to the Long Island Nets if the newly acquired Spencer Dinwiddie is available to pay Thursday against the Bulls.

FEBRUARY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Cut by Miami The Heat waived Smith on Sunday, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.

Impact He'll cede his two-way roster spot to Orlando Robinson, whom Smith previously replaced on the roster in late November. Assuming he clears waivers, Smith will likely remain in the Miami organization and report to the G League's Sioux Falls Skyforce.

DECEMBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Drops out of starting five Smith will not start Saturday's game versus the Spurs.

Impact Smith received a spot start Thursday while Kyle Lowry got a rest, but he'll return to a bench role Saturday with Lowry back in the mix. Smith hasn't seen a ton of action when the regulars are available, so he shouldn't be counted on for a major impact against the Spurs, even with Gabe Vincent (knee) out.

DECEMBER 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Gets first career start Thursday Smith will start Thursday against the Clippers.

Impact Smith is coming off one of his best G League performances of the season, during which the guard recorded 26 points, six assists, and four rebounds. The guard will receive his first ever start for the Heat in place of Max Strus (shoulder). So far with Miami, Smith has played in only four games, and he's averaging 11.5 minutes, 2.3 points and 2.0 rebounds.

DECEMBER 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE