DENNIS SMITH JR. NEWS

Gets starting nod Coach Steve Clifford said Smith is in the starting lineup and will guard Kyrie Irving in Friday's matchup with Dallas, Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact Smith's insertion in the starting lineup likely means either Terry Rozier (foot) or Kelly Oubre (shoulder) won't play Friday. Smith is averaging 10.3 points, 6.8 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 2.1 steals in 31.4 minutes across 13 starts this season.

MARCH 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared for action Smith (illness) is available for Friday's game in Dallas.

Impact As expected, Smith has been upgraded from probable to available and will suit up Friday after leaving Thursday's loss early with an illness. With Terry Rozier (foot) doubtful and Kelly Oubre (shoulder) questionable, Smith could operate as the starting point guard against the team that drafted him in 2017.

MARCH 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Likely available Friday Smith (illness) is probable for Friday's game against Dallas.

Impact Smith left Thursday's loss to the Pelicans early due to an illness, but it appears he'll be able to suit up for the second half of Charlotte's back-to-back Friday. With Terry Rozier (foot) doubtful, Smith, if cleared, could move into the starting lineup and see an increased workload versus the Mavericks.

MARCH 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Will not return Thursday Smith has been ruled out for the remainder of Thursday's game against the Pelicans due to illness.

Impact Smith joins Terry Rozier (foot) and Kelly Oubre (shoulder) as an early exit from Thursday's matchup after feeling under the weather. He finished with eight points and four assists over 22 minutes while Bryce McGowens and Svi Mykhailiuk will likely see expanded roles for the remainder of the game. Smith's next chance to play will come Friday against Dallas.

MARCH 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Back to bench with Oubre available Smith will come off the bench during Tuesday's game versus the Cavaliers, Schuyler Callihan of SI.com reports.

Impact With Kelly Oubre (back) available following a one-game absence, Smith will resume a bench role. He's played well lately, scoring in double figures in five of the past six games (11.5 PPG), but needs to be more efficient, as he's slashing 41/27/68. Also during this stretch, the guard has averaged 5.5 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 26.0 minutes.

MARCH 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Strong two-way effort Sunday Smith finished Sunday's 114-108 loss to the Cavaliers with 14 points (5-14 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 4-4 FT), eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals in 37 minutes.

Impact Smith moved into the starting lineup Sunday, replacing Kelly Oubre who was out with a back injury. Smith played a team-high 37 minutes in the loss, cobbling together arguably his best all-around performance of the season. He has been somewhat of a revelation this season, playing a much larger role than anyone expected. With LaMelo Ball (ankle) done for the season and very little to play for, Smith should continue to be a 12-team option ROS.

MARCH 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Officially starting Sunday Smith is starting Sunday's game against the Cavaliers.

Impact Smith has started just one game since the start of the calendar year, but he'll join the lineup for Sunday's matchup since Kelly Oubre (back) has been ruled out. Smith has scored in double figures in four of his last five appearances, averaging 11.0 points, 5.2 assists and 3.2 rebounds in 23.8 minutes per game during that time.

MARCH 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Likely to start Sunday Charlotte head coach Steve Clifford said Smith is expected to start at point guard in Sunday's game against the Cavaliers with Kelly Oubre (back) listed as doubtful for the contest...

Impact Oubre has started alongside Terry Rozier in the backcourt in each of the last six games since LaMelo Ball (ankle) suffered a season-ending injury, but Smith has proven useful enough while serving as Charlotte's sixth man. In the six games sans Ball, Smith is averaging 10.5 points, 5.3 assists, 3.5 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 0.8 blocks and 0.7 triples in 24.2 minutes per game. With Oubre likely out of the mix Sunday, Smith should make for a strong streaming option for the assists and defensive categories, though fantasy managers should be aware of Smith's potential to inflict damage in the two percentage categories.

MARCH 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Solid line in loss Smith accumulated eight points (2-7 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 4-6 FT), five rebounds, six assists, two blocks and one steal across 26 minutes during Wednesday's 105-91 loss to the Suns.

Impact Smith did a great job contributing across multiple categories Wednesday night, adding his typical assists and steals but also excellent rebound and block numbers for a guard. With LaMelo Ball (ankle) set to miss the remainder of the season, Smith is in line to get a good chunk of those minutes, and fantasy managers who are punting field-goal percentage could do worse by adding Smith for the fantasy playoff stretch.

MARCH 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Hornets' Dennis Smith Jr. enjoying a resurgence, will be key in LaMelo Ball's absence Charlotte Hornets guard Dennis Smith Jr. is enjoying a resurgence and will be key with LaMelo Ball sidelined for remainder of the season.

MARCH 2, 2023 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

Williams, Hornets send Heat to 4th straight defeat 108-103

Gordon Hayward scored 21 points, rookie center Mark Williams posted career highs with 18 points and 20 rebounds and the surging Charlotte Hornets defeated the Miami Heat 108-103 fo...

FEBRUARY 26, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Coming off bench Friday Smith will come off the bench Friday against the Timberwolves, Sam Perley of the Hornets' official site reports.

Impact Smith heads back to the bench with Terry Rozier (hand) returning following a one-game absence. As a reserve this month, Smith is averaging 10.7 points, 2.6 assists, 2.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 23.0 minutes.

FEBRUARY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Produces well in spot start Smith logged 10 points (3-8 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 4-4 FT), nine assists, five rebounds and three steals in 31 minutes during Wednesday's 120-110 victory over the Spurs.

Impact Due to the absence of Terry Rozier (hand), Smith drew his first start since Nov. 10 and made the most of his chances. He reached double figures in scoring for a third straight game and narrowly missed out on a double-double, as Smith and backcourt mate LaMelo Ball combined for 19 assists. If Rozier is ready to go coming out of the All-Star break, Smith will move to the bench and lose out on some playing time, but he should still be in store for a consistent 20-plus-minute role as the top guard on the Hornets' second unit.

FEBRUARY 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Starting for injured Rozier Smith will get the nod at shooting guard for Wednesday's game against the Spurs.

Impact With Terry Rozier (hand) sidelined, Smith draws his first start since mid-November. Still, he's maintained a steady role in the rotation all season and is averaging 10.1 points, 5.8 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.7 steals when seeing at least 24 minutes (20 games).

FEBRUARY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Likely starting Wednesday Coach Steve Clifford said Smith will start if Terry Rozier (hand) is unable to play in Wednesday's game versus the Spurs, Sam Perley of the Hornets' official site reports.

Impact Rozier is currently listed as doubtful with a hand injury, so it is unlikely he suits up Wednesday. Smith is averaging 10.0 points, 6.5 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.9 steals in 30.9 minutes across his previous 11 starts this season. Fantasy managers should check in before game-time to see the Hornets' official lineup.

FEBRUARY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Submits well-rounded box-score line Smith finished Saturday's 119-105 loss to the Nuggets with 15 points (6-10 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 1-2 FT), four rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal in 27 minutes.

Impact The continued absences of Kelly Oubre (hand) and Cody Martin (knee) and the trade of Jalen McDaniels to the 76ers at the trade deadline appears to have proven beneficial for Smith, who has been logging more playing time of late alongside starting point guard LaMelo Ball. Smith has now cleared 20 minutes in all six of the Hornets' games in February, averaging 10.5 points, 2.7 assists, 2.3 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 0.7 blocks while shooting 55.6 percent from the field. That level of production is enough to keep Smith relevant in 14-team category leagues, and he shapes up as a decent streaming option for steals in 12-team formats.

FEBRUARY 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Good to go Friday Smith (wrist) will take the floor Friday versus the Pistons.

Impact Already tabbed as probable on the initial injury report, Smith will take his usual in the rotation as the backup point guard behind LaMelo Ball. Even so, Smith doesn't produce consistently enough in a bench role to warrant fantasy consideration in most fantasy formats.

FEBRUARY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Probable Friday Smith is probable for Friday's game against the Pistons due to a left wrist sprain.

Impact Smith hasn't missed any games since the start of the calendar year, and it appears likely that he'll be able to suit up Friday despite his wrist issue. Over his last five appearances, he's averaged 5.0 points and 3.2 rebounds in 21.0 minutes per game.

FEBRUARY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Will play Sunday Smith (illness) is available for Sunday's matchup against the Heat.

Impact As expected, Smith will play Sunday after initially being listed as probable with an illness. The backup point guard has appeared in 13 straight games and has averaged 6.8 points, 4.2 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 23.3 minutes during that stretch.

JANUARY 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Likely to play Sunday Smith is probable for Sunday's meeting with Miami due to a non-COVID illness.

Impact Smith has received a probable designation due to an illness and will likely play Sunday. However, his status is worth keeping an eye on, considering his availability will be determined by how he feels prior to Sunday's 1:00 PM EST tipoff.

JANUARY 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dishes out nine assists Smith notched 15 points (6-11 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-4 FT), nine assists and three rebounds across 29 minutes during Monday's 120-102 loss to the Jazz.

Impact Though he hasn't entered the starting five while point guard LaMelo Ball (ankle) has been sidelined for the past two games, Smith has benefited from an uptick in playing time on the second unit and has been a strong source of assists in the star floor general's absence. Smith hasn't provided his usual production in the defensive categories in either of those contests, but he made up for it Monday by providing better-than-expected scoring production. Fantasy managers should still continue to stream Smith mainly for assists and steals for any future games that Ball misses.

JANUARY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gets more run after LaMelo's exit Smith finished with nine points (2-8 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 5-6 FT), seven rebounds, two rebounds and one steal across 29 minutes in Wednesday's 122-117 win over the Rockets.

Impact While Smith's overall stat line doesn't inspire reason to run to the waiver wire, the fact that starting point guard LaMelo Ball exited the contest with a sprained left ankle is enough to make Smith worthy of a cursory pickup in 12-team category leagues. The Hornets have yet to provide an updated timeline for Ball's return, but given that he previously missed 13 and 11 games earlier in the season due to sprains of the same left ankle, it's reasonable to expect the third-year player to miss some time after his latest aggravation. In his 11 starts this season when Ball has been sidelined, Smith averaged 10.0 points, 6.5 assists, 3.9 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 0.5 blocks in 30.9 minutes.

JANUARY 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Decreased minutes again Smith contributed two points (1-4 FG), one rebound, three assists and one steal in 17 minutes during Saturday's 122-106 loss to Boston.

Impact With the backcourt of Charlotte back to full strength, Smith has had much less of a role and his minutes have dropped in each of the past three games. He can still put up decent numbers, particularly steals and assists, but only if he's going to see over 20 minutes per game. Look at the 25-year-old guard as a solid stream option if LaMelo Ball or Terry Rozier miss some time.

JANUARY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE