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

Hot shooting continues Smith finished Monday's 119-112 overtime loss to Chicago with 15 points (6-15 FG, 3-6 3Pt), four rebounds, three assists and one steal across 32 minutes.

Impact The 27th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft has forced his way into a significant role in the backcourt rotation over the last few weeks with an impressive performance from beyond the arc. Over the last eight games, Smith has drained multiple three-pointers six times and shot 58.1 percent from long distance while averaging 9.5 points, 2.3 threes, 2.1 boards and 1,8 assists in only 18.6 minutes a night from the second unit. LaMelo Ball (ankle) is closing in on his return, which will shake things up, but Smith's current run will make it tough for coach Steve Clifford to return the rookie to the end of the bench.

JANUARY 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Hits two triples in win Smith closed with six points (2-3 FG, 2-3 3Pt), one assist and two blocks across 14 minutes during Tuesday's 111-104 victory over Sacramento.

Impact With Charlotte shorthanded, Smith has played double-digit minutes in nine straight games, averaging 8.1 points on 45.2 percent shooting during that stretch. He should continue to garner a modest bench role as long as LaMelo Ball (ankle), Brandon Miller (hip) and Gordon Hayward (calf) remain out, but Smith isn't producing enough to be on fantasy radars in standard leagues.

JANUARY 3, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Will come off bench Tuesday Smith will remain in the second unit for Tuesday's game against the Clippers.

Impact Coming off a 19-point boom in Saturday's loss against Denver, Smith could have a relevant role with Brandon Miller (ankle) inactive. He could factor into small-ball lineups for Charlotte with Mark Williams (back) out.

DECEMBER 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nick Smith Jr., 'a shot maker,' provides depth for Charlotte Hornets starting road trip Smith could have a big role for the banged-up Hornets, who play the LA Clippers on Tuesday. He scored 17 points during the fourth quarter of...

DECEMBER 26, 2023 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

Recalled by Charlotte The Hornets recalled Smith from the G League's Greensboro Swarm on Thursday.

Impact Smith spent just a few days in the G League but will now rejoin the parent club. Over eight appearances with the Hornets this year, he's averaged 4.0 points in 7.1 minutes per game.

DECEMBER 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out Smith (ankle) has been ruled out for Monday's game against Maimi.

Impact As expected, Smith has been downgraded from doubtful and will miss a second straight game. The rookie hasn't been a consistent part of the rotation, so his absence shouldn't impact fantasy.

DECEMBER 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Listed as doubtful Smith (ankle) is doubtful for Monday's matchup against the Heat.

Impact Smith is listed as doubtful for a second straight game. The rookie hasn't been a regular part of Charlotte's rotation, so his presumed absence shouldn't impact fantasy.

DECEMBER 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Downgraded to out Smith (ankle) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Raptors.

Impact As expected, Smith has been downgraded from doubtful to out. It's unclear when exactly he sprained his ankle, but he scored 14 points in Greensboro's blowout loss to Capital City on Thursday. Smith hasn't been a regular part of Charlotte's rotation, so his absence shouldn't have a fantasy impact.

DECEMBER 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nursing ankle injury The Hornets list Smith as doubtful for Friday's game against the Raptors with a right ankle sprain.

Impact Smith was called up from the G League's Greensboro Swarm earlier in the day, but he doesn't look like he'll be on track to play Friday against the Raptors while he manages the ankle injury. Even when healthy, Smith hasn't been a regular member of the Charlotte rotation during his rookie season. He's appeared in eight of the Hornets' first 19 games, averaging 4.0 points and 0.6 rebounds in 7.1 minutes per contest.

DECEMBER 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Back to NBA Charlotte recalled Smtih from the G League's Greensboro Swarm on Friday.

Impact Smith's second G League assignment of the season lasted just one day. The rookie recorded 14 points (5-6 FG, 4-5 3Pt), three assists and one rebound during Greensboro's blowout loss to Capital City on Thursday.

DECEMBER 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to G League The Hornets assigned Smith to the Greensboro Swarm of the G League on Thursday.

Impact Smith's assignment to the Swarm marks his second of the season. The rookie guard has been an inconsistent part of Charlotte's rotation and should receive extended playing time in the G League.

DECEMBER 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled to Charlotte Smith was called up to Charlotte's main roster Tuesday evening.

Impact Smith made his G League debut with the Greensboro Swarm earlier in the day Tuesday, delivering 21 points, three rebounds and three assists in a win over Capital City. His matinee cameo ends with a return to the Hornets, where he's averaged 4.0 points in 7.1 minutes per game across eight appearances this season

DECEMBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Assigned to G League The Hornets assigned Nick Smith to the Greensboro Swarm of the G League on Monday.

Impact This is the first G League assignment of the season for Smith. The rookie hasn't been utilized much in Charlotte, appearing in eight games with an average of 7.1 minutes per contest.

DECEMBER 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Perfect from three in win Smith recorded a career-high nine points (3-4 FG, 3-3 3Pt) along with one rebound and one block across 14 minutes in Thursday's 129-128 victory over the Nets.

Impact It appears Smith will get more opportunities off the bench after an MRI confirmed LaMelo Ball sustained a right ankle sprain, sidelining him for at least a week. In Smith's last six games, he has averaged 8.7 minutes per game, so expect that to trend upwards in the immediate future.

DECEMBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scores career-high eight points Smith supplied eight points (3-4 FG, 2-2 3Pt) in five minutes during Tuesday's 115-91 loss to the Knicks.

Impact Smith played in just his seventh game of the season Tuesday, scoring a career-high eight points in five minutes. The Hornets recently lost LaMelo Ball to what is being described as a serious ankle sprain. While Smith is still buried on the depth chart, there is a chance the Hornets may opt to see what they have in Smith, especially if their current trajectory holds. He is clearly not someone who needs to be prioritized, but the situation warrants at least some attention.

NOVEMBER 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Will get some run in G League Smith is expected to get some playing time in the G League this season, Sam Perley of NBA.com reports.

Impact Smith was a lot of fun to watch at the Summer League, but the Hornets have a lot of depth at guard, and it will be hard for the rookie to carve out some playing time early on.

OCTOBER 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Brandon Miller has breakout performance for Hornets in Summer League

After a rough start to Summer League, the No. 2 overall pick finally had a breakout performance on Tuesday.

JULY 12, 2023 • FOX SPORTS

Brandon Miller has breakout performance for Hornets in Summer League

Hornets 'Feel Very Fortunate' Nick Smith Jr. Fell to No. 27 Charlotte may have the biggest steal of the 2023 NBA Draft.

JUNE 24, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Nick Smith Jr Draft Grade Roundup What grade did CBS, Yahoo, USA Today, Bleacher Report and SB Nation give the Hornets?

JUNE 23, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Charlotte Hornets' Nick Smith Jr. talks battling injury, friendship with Brandon Miller “Going through that process, I learned so much about my body,” Smith said of the injuries he sustained in college. “I feel God put me in tha...

JUNE 23, 2023 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

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Brandon Miller has breakout performance for Hornets in Summer League