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

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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Inefficient 17 points in loss Smith closed Friday's 102-97 loss to the Trail Blazers with 17 points (6-18 FG, 2-10 3Pt, 3-3 FT), five rebounds, six assists and two blocks in 34 minutes.

Impact With the majority of Charlotte's starters in street clothes, the Hornets' offense ran through Smith on Friday. The 20-year-old second-year guard led the team with 17 points and six assists, but he struggled for efficiency shooting the ball with a lack of offensive firepower surrounding him. Smith has been forced into a featured role over his past four games, where he's averaged 15.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 0.8 steals and 2.8 threes in 30.3 minutes, and he should continue to handle extra usage with Brandon Miller (wrist) done for the season.

JANUARY 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Hornets vs Trail Blazers: Nick Smith Jr. Postgame Media Availability

JANUARY 25, 2025 • YOUTUBE

Notches 19 points in win Smith chipped in 19 points (7-13 FG, 5-8 3Pt), three rebounds, one assist and one steal across 30 minutes during Monday's 110-105 win over Dallas.

Impact Brandon Miller is out indefinitely with a wrist injury, and Smith looks poised to make a big impact for Charlotte in the short term. In his previous start against the Bulls on Friday, Smith produced 15 points (6-12 FG, 3-7 3Pt), five rebounds, one assist and one steal in 26 minutes. He'll be a popular waiver-wire pickup for good reason.

JANUARY 21, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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

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