Nick Smith Jr. News, Rumors, Updates - Los Angeles Lakers

Posts 15 points as fill-in Smith supplied 15 points (6-12 FG, 3-7 3Pt), five rebounds, one assist and one steal in 26 minutes during Friday's 125-123 win over the Bulls.

Impact Smith's playing time is projected to increase following Brandon Miller's (wrist) injury diagnosis. With Miller out indefinitely, the 2023 first-round pick drew the start and flashed the sharpshooting skills that made him a hot commodity coming out of Arkansas. Although the Hornets are floundering in the Eastern Conference, players like LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges and Mark Williams are playing well, which will give Smith some fantasy worthiness if he can hold on to the job.

JANUARY 18, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

First career start Friday Smith will start Friday's game against the Bulls.

Impact It'll be the first career start for the former first-rounder Friday, and he'll have a chance to offer a boost in fantasy value. Over his past four games, Jones is averaging 8.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.0 threes in 18.6 minutes.

JANUARY 18, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Nick Smith Jr.'s emergence has highlighted Vasilije Micic's recent struggles Nick Smith Jr. has been balling out for the Charlotte Hornets as of late.

JANUARY 8, 2025 • SI.COM

Best outing of season off bench Smith totaled 18 points (7-12 FG, 4-6 3Pt), five rebounds, two assists and one block across 19 minutes during Sunday's 115-105 loss to Cleveland.

Impact Smith shined off the Hornets bench in Sunday's contest, leading all second unit players in scoring, threes made and blocks in a season-best showcase. Smith set a new season-high point total, reaching double figures in scoring for the first time this year. He has connected on two or more threes in three appearances off the bench.

JANUARY 6, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled to NBA Smith was recalled from the Hornets' G League affiliate Thursday.

Impact Smith will rejoin the Hornets ahead of Friday's game against Detroit. The 20-year-old appeared in only five games during December, and he averaged 4.2 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.0 assists across 11.2 minutes per contest.

JANUARY 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Headed to G League The Hornets recalled Smith from the G League's Greensboro Swarm on Thursday.

Impact Smith tallied four points (1-1 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT) in four minutes during Charlotte's most recent outing against Houston on Monday. However, the second-year guard should receive increased playing time while in the G League.

DECEMBER 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Back from G League Charlotte recalled Smith from the G League's Greensboro Swarm on Sunday.

Impact After erupting for 33 points (11-20 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 5-5 FT), four rebounds, three blocks, two assists and one steal in 34 minutes in his most recent appearance in the Swarm's win over the South Bay Lakers on Thursday, Smith will return to the parent club. He's unlikely to be featured in the rotation in Monday's game against the Rockets.

DECEMBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Headed to G League The Hornets assigned Smith to the G League's Greensboro Swarm on Saturday.

Impact Smith has made just two appearances for the Swarm this season. Over those two appearances, he is averaging 30.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 blocks in 33.7 minutes.

DECEMBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled by parent club The Hornets recalled Smith from the G League on Friday.

Impact Smith has appeared in five NBA games this season, averaging 4.6 minutes per game. He'll rejoin the NBA roster ahead of the Hornets' matchup with the Bucks on Saturday, where he could see some minutes due to Tre Mann's (back) absence.

NOVEMBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Assigned to G League Charlotte assigned Smith to the G League's Greensboro Swarm on Monday.

Impact This will be Smith's first G League assignment of the season. He's hardly seen the floor for Charlotte, averaging 4.6 minutes across five appearances.

NOVEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Good to go Friday Smith (illness) is available for Friday's game versus the Pacers.

Impact Smith was a late addition to the injury report with an illness but will play through it against Indiana. Smith is averaging 3.5 points in 9.0 minutes across his two appearances this season.

NOVEMBER 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Late addition to injury report Smith is listed as questionable for Friday's game versus the Pacers due to an illness.

Impact Despite not appearing on the injury report all day, Smith is now in danger of missing Friday's contest due to a non-COVID illness. However, the 20-year-old forward's potential absence shouldn't significantly impact Charlotte's rotation.

NOVEMBER 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Team option exercised The Hornets exercised their third-year team option for Smith on Wednesday.

Impact This wasn't in any doubt. Although Smith isn't in Charlotte's rotation right now, he remains an intriguing developmental piece for the future.

OCTOBER 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Shows rust vs. Pacers Smith (groin) recorded 14 points (4-16 FG, 1-8 3Pt, 5-5 FT), three rebounds, three assists, three steals and one block across 25 minutes in Thursday's 121-116 loss to Indiana.

Impact Smith missed time during the preseason due to a groin injury but got the green light to suit up Thursday. He managed to contribute across the board in the preseason finale despite struggling to find his shooting stroke. The Arkansas product's role in Charlotte's rotation is undefined heading into the 2024-25 campaign given a crowded backcourt that includes Tre Mann, Seth Curry, Vasilije Micic and KJ Simpson.

OCTOBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Doesn't suit up Tuesday Smith (groin) didn't play in Tuesday's 111-105 preseason loss to the Knicks.

Impact The Hornets said Smith would be re-evaluated for his left groin injury in one week from Oct. 6, but the team has yet to release any updates. Smith's status for the regular season is now in question as his next chance to suit up is Thursday's preseason finale against the Pacers.

OCTOBER 16, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Out for preseason opener Smith sustained a left groin injury during training camp and will miss Sunday's preseason opener against the Knicks -- he will be reevaluated in one week.

Impact Smith sustained the injury near the end of training camp, and it is unclear whether he will be back for Opening Night of the regular season. The 20-year-old is coming off an inconsistent rookie season, during which he averaged 5.9 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists across 14.3 minutes per game in 51 regular-season outings.

OCTOBER 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Charlotte Hornets G Nick Smith Jr. 2024-25 Player Profile This player profile of Charlotte Hornets guard Nick Smith Jr. provides insight to his previous season, what to expect in the upcoming season...

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 • SI.COM

NBA 2K25 Summer League: Hornets' 2nd-half surge buries Nuggets | NBA.com Nick Smith Jr. and the Hornets take control in the 2nd half and rout the Nuggets at the NBA 2K25 Summer League.

JULY 17, 2024 • NBA.COM

Leading scorer off bench Sunday Smith recorded 24 points (9-20 FG, 6-11 3Pt), six rebounds, three assists and one steal across 33 minutes during Sunday's 120-110 win over the Cavaliers.

Impact Smith was the leading scorer in the Hornets' regular-season finale Sunday. His 24 points and six made threes were both career highs as he saw extended playing time with Charlotte sitting multiple rotational players. Over the last two games of the season, Smith averaged 19.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists over 31.0 minutes game contest.

APRIL 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Leads bench in scoring vs. Boston Smith finished with 15 points (5-12 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds and two assists in 29 minutes during Friday's 131-98 loss to the Celtics.

Impact Smith's 15 points Friday was the first time he's reached double-digit scoring since Feb. 9 against the Bucks. He's spent time in the G League with the Greensboro Swarm, but with the Hornets down several players due to injury, Smith could see another heavy workload in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Cavaliers.

APRIL 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Inefficient in close loss Smith finished with four points (2-9 FG, 0-2 3Pt), three rebounds and one assist across 18 minutes in Wednesday's 89-86 loss to the Trail Blazers.

Impact Since being recalled from the G League on March 4, Smith has averaged just 2.3 points in 8.1 minutes, shooting 28.9 percent from the field. Prior to the All-Star break, the 19-year-old's numbers were considerably better, as he averaged 6.6 points in 15.8 minutes and shot 40.6 percent from the field. Despite his poor shooting lately, expect the rookie to receive playing time as the season winds down with LaMelo Ball (ankle), Seth Curry (ankle) and Cody Martin (ankle) out for the rest of the season.

APRIL 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled to NBA The Hornets recalled Smith from the G League's Greensboro Swarm on Monday.

Impact Smith hasn't appeared in an NBA game since before the All-Star break. However, with Seth Curry (ankle) and Cody Martin (ankle) joining LaMelo Ball (ankle) on the sidelines recently, there may be depth minutes available for the rookie guard.

MARCH 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to NBA The Hornets recalled Smith from the G League's Greesboro Swarm on Thursday.

Impact Smith will be available for Thursday's game versus the Bucks. The rookie guard is averaging 6.5 points, 1.5 assists and 1.0 rebounds in 16.4 minutes across his last 10 appearances for Charlotte.

FEBRUARY 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Back with Hornets The Hornets recalled Smith from the G League's Greensboro Swarm on Wednesday.

Impact The arrival of several new players last week in the aftermath of the trade deadline resulted in Smith getting pushed out of the rotation and assigned to Greensboro, where he'll likely get the chance to play extended minutes. Though he's back with Charlotte for Wednesday's game versus Atlanta, Smith is uncertain to re-emerge in head coach Steve Clifford's rotation.

FEBRUARY 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

G League bound after rotation exit The Hornets assigned Smith to the G League's Greensboro Swarm on Monday.

Impact In the wake of Thursday's trade deadline, the Hornets essentially overhauled their second unit. After appearing in each of the previous 28 games and averaging 18.3 minutes, Smith didn't leave the bench in Saturday's 115-106 win over the Grizzlies, and Nathan Mensah, Leaky Black and Bryce McGowens were also spectators after having previously been included in the rotation. Meanwhile, new arrivals Vasilije Micic, Seth Curry, Grant Williams and Davis Bertans all had roles off the bench in the win. Smith's demotion to the G League likely signals that the Hornets will stick with the new veteran group as their core players on the second unit for Monday's game against the Pacers.

FEBRUARY 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

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