4 DAYS AGO • THESTATE.COM
NICK SMITH JR.
9.2 PPG •
2.0 RPG •
2.1 APG
9.2 PPG
2.0 RPG
2.1 APG
Hornets have little trouble in defeating hard-luck Spurs LaMelo Ball racked up 27 points and 15 assists and Nick Smith Jr.scored 22 of his 26 points in the first half as the visiting Charlotte Horn...
Torches Spurs for 26 points Smith contributed 26 points (9-12 FG, 6-7 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds and five assists over 27 minutes during Friday's 145-134 win over the Spurs.
Impact Smith's efficient 26 points established a new season high Friday, and he sunk six three-pointers off the bench. The 2023 first-rounder has taken on more usage in the absence of Brandon Miller (wrist), but Smith's shooting efficiency remains poor overall. Across his last 14 outings, Smith has averaged 12.1 points, 2.6 assists, 2.1 rebounds and 2.0 three-pointers in 29.7 minutes while shooting 37.7 percent from the field.
4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE
Hornets make franchise-record 26 3s and Ball has 27 points and 14 assists in 145-134 win over Spurs
LaMelo Ball had 27 points and 14 assists, and the Charlotte Hornets made a franchise-record 26 3-pointers to roll past the San Antonio Spurs 145-134 on Friday night4 DAYS AGO • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Running with second unit Monday Smith isn't in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Heat.
Impact DaQuan Jeffries will supplant Smith in the starting five for the second time over the club's last three outings. The 20-year-old has appeared in 11 outings (10 starts) since the All-Star break, during which he has averaged 12.1 points, 2.6 assists and 2.1 rebounds across 32.3 minutes per contest.
MARCH 10 • ROTOWIRE
Supplies 19 points Saturday Smith registered 19 points (6-17 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 4-4 FT), two rebounds and two assists in 32 minutes during Saturday's 105-102 victory over Brooklyn.
Impact With LaMelo Ball (ankle) sitting out Saturday, Smith supplied a solid scoring effort that trailed only Miles Bridges' 26 points for the Hornets. On occasions when Charlotte chooses to hold Ball out of action down the stretch, Smith should continue to see a bump in playmaking opportunities. Smith has averaged 12.1 points, 2.6 assists, 2.1 rebounds and 1.9 three-pointers in 32.2 minutes over 11 games since the All-Star break, but he's shooting just 34.4 percent from the floor and 25.6 percent from downtown.
MARCH 9 • ROTOWIRE
Hornets close with a 12-0 run to beat the Nets 105-102 and snap a nine-game losing streak
Miles Bridges scored 26 points and the Charlotte Hornets used a finishing 12-0 run to beat the Brooklyn Nets 105-102 on Saturday night and snap a nine-game losing streakMARCH 9 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Returns to starting five Smith is in the starting lineup for Saturday's game versus the Nets.
Impact Smith will return to the starting five Saturday after moving to the bench in Charlotte's previous outing. Smith has struggled with his efficiency over his last 10 starting appearances, converting shooting just 33.1 percent from the field.
MARCH 8 • ROTOWIRE
Joining second unit Friday Smith won't start in Friday's game against Cleveland.
Impact The combo guard will slide to the bench in favor of Josh Green on Friday. Smith had started in each of his last 23 appearances, during which he averaged 12.3 points, 2.9 assists and 2.5 rebounds across 30.9 minutes per contest.
MARCH 7 • ROTOWIRE
Will play Friday Smith (quadricep) is available for Friday's game against Cleveland.
Impact Smith will shake off his probable tag due to a right quad contusion and suit up Friday. The combo guard has appeared in 11 consecutive outings (all starts) for the Hornets, during which he has averaged 10.9 points, 3.0 assists and 1.9 rebounds across 31.8 minutes per contest.
MARCH 7 • ROTOWIRE
Probable for Friday Smith (quad) has been listed as probable for Friday's game against the Cavaliers.
Impact Smith has started the last 11 games for the Hornets and is trending toward getting another start Friday against Cleveland. The 20-year-old guard is averaging 12.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game, shooting 38.7 percent from the floor and 29 percent from beyond the arc in 23 games as a starter for Charlotte.
MARCH 6 • ROTOWIRE
Hornets face the Timberwolves on 7-game slide
Charlotte will try to end its seven-game skid when the Charlotte Hornets play MinnesotaMARCH 5 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hornets take on the Wizards on 5-game skid
Charlotte looks to end its five-game slide when the Charlotte Hornets take on WashingtonFEBRUARY 28 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hands out season-high seven assists Smith totaled 12 points (5-14 FG, 2-5 3Pt), three rebounds and seven assists in 33 minutes during Thursday's 103-96 loss to the Mavericks.
Impact Smith led the team with seven assists, his highest total in this area this season. The 2023 first-rounder shouldn't struggle for playmaking opportunities as a full-time starter with the injury-plagued Hornets down the stretch, but his lack of efficiency has left a lot to be desired. Smith is shooting just 33.7 percent from the floor and 24.5 percent from three-point land across his last eight contests, averaging 11.4 points, 3.1 assists, 1.6 rebounds, 0.5 steals and 1.6 three-pointers in 30.6 minutes during this period.
FEBRUARY 28 • ROTOWIRE
What's the next level for Nick Smith Jr. look like? Clues abound with shift in roles The second-year guard recorded his 18th consecutive start in Charlotte’s 130-88 loss to the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on Monday ni...
FEBRUARY 25 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM
Supplies 16 points in loss Smith supplied 16 points (7-16 FG, 2-6 3Pt), one rebound and three assists over 33 minutes during Thursday's 129-115 loss to Denver.
Impact The second-year guard continues to be productive as part of the Hornets' starting five. Aside from a Feb. 12 contest against the Magic in which he played just 16 minutes before being ejected, Smith has scored in double digits in seven straight appearances, averaging 18.0 points, 3.1 threes, 2.9 assists and 2.4 boards in those seven starts.
FEBRUARY 21 • ROTOWIRE
Ejected Wednesday Smith was ejected from Wednesday's game against the Magic, Dan Savage of the Magic's official site reports.
Impact Smith appeared to be jawing at Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who was also tossed Wednesday, which led to his ejection. Smith will get an early start to his All-Star break, as his next chance to play comes Feb. 19 against the Lakers. The 2023 first-rounder's night ends with two points (1-5 FG, 0-2 3Pt), three assists and one rebound in 16 minutes.
FEBRUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE
Cleared to play Monday Smith (back) is available for Monday's game against the Nets.
Impact Smith couldn't suit up in Sunday's game against the Pistons, but he'll be able to return from a back injury Monday. Across his last four outings, the 2023 first-rounder has been heating up with averages of 21.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 3.8 threes in 34.6 minutes while shooting 53.6 percent from deep.
FEBRUARY 10 • ROTOWIRE
Iffy for Monday Smith (back) is questionable for Monday's game against the Nets.
Impact Smith missed Sunday's loss in Detroit due to a back issue but has a chance to return for the second half of Charlotte's back-to-back set. If he can't suit up, Seth Curry and KJ Simpson would be candidates for increased roles again.
FEBRUARY 10 • ROTOWIRE
Out Sunday Smith (back) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Pistons.
Impact Smith will join LaMelo Ball (ankle) on the sideline for the first half of Charlotte's back-to-back set. KJ Simpson, Seth Curry, Elfrid Payton and Isaiah Wong are all candidates for increased roles Sunday. Smith can be considered questionable for Monday's game in Brooklyn.
FEBRUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE
Questionable against Detroit Smith (back) has been listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Pistons.
Impact Smith has started the Hornets' last 12 games but is in danger of missing Sunday's game in Detroit. If Dalton Knecht is cleared to play against the Pistons, he could start in Smith's place if he's ruled out due to the back issue.
FEBRUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE
Questionable against Detroit Smith (back) has been listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Pistons.
Impact Smith has started the Hornets' last 12 games but is in danger of missing Sunday's game in Detroit. If Dalton Knecht is cleared to play against the Pistons, he could start in Smith's place if he's ruled out due to the back issue.
FEBRUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE
Strong offensive outing Smith racked up 19 points (8-13 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 1-1 FT), six rebounds and five assists over 34 minutes during Friday's 117-116 victory over San Antonio.
Impact Smith scored at least 19 points for the fourth straight game despite the return of LaMelo Ball from an ankle injury. Smith has been somewhat of a revelation for the Hornets, having now started 12 straight games. During that time he has averaged 13.7 points, 2.8 assists and 2.3 three-pointers in 30.0 minutes per game. The arrival of Dalton Knecht could complicate things, although given the Hornets have both eyes on the future, Smith remaining in the starting lineup would make sense.
FEBRUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE
Another strong outing Wednesday Smith finished Wednesday's 112-102 loss to the Bucks with 22 points (9-15 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 0-1 FT), two assists and two rebounds over 32 minutes.
Impact Two days after scoring a season-high 24 points in Monday's loss to the Wizards, Smith answered with a 22-point outing in Wednesday's defeat and was the game's third-leading scorer behind Damian Lillard (29) and Bobby Portis (23). Smith has been in the Hornets' starting lineup since Jan. 17, and he's taken on a larger role on offense due to the absence of LaMelo Ball (ankle). Over his last three outings, Smith has averaged 22.0 points on 58.1 percent shooting (including 56.5 percent from three on 7.7 3PA/G), 2.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 0.7 steals over 34.8 minutes per contest. Smith and the Hornets will look to break out of their six-game slump against Victor Wembanyama and the new-look Spurs on Friday.
FEBRUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE
Season-high 24 points vs. Wiz Smith finished Monday's 124-114 loss to Washington with 24 points (9-16 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, two assists and one steal over 39 minutes.
Impact Smith connected on four threes for the fourth time this season Monday and co-led the Hornets in scoring with Miles Bridges. Smith went back and forth between the Hornets and the G League affiliate Greensboro Swarm over the first two months of the season, but he strung together some solid performances at the beginning of the new year which earned him a spot in the Hornets' starting lineup Jan. 17. Since then, Smith has averaged 12.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists over 29.3 minutes per game.
FEBRUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE
Struggles in loss Smith had two points (1-10 FG, 0-7 3Pt), five rebounds and two assists across 27 minutes during Wednesday's 104-83 loss to the Nets.
Impact Smith failed to score double-digit points for the third straight outing Wednesday. Since being inserted into the starting lineup on Jan. 17, Smith has struggled mightily with his outside shot, converting just 26.1 percent of his 6.6 three-point attempts per contest. On the season, the 20-year-old guard is shooting 36.4 percent from the field.
JANUARY 30 • ROTOWIRE
