DENNIS SMITH JR. NEWS

Scores 12 points with full line Smith ended Wednesday's 129-102 victory over San Antonio with 12 points (5-7 FG, 2-2 3Pt), two rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals across 21 minutes.

Impact Smith logged 21 minutes off the bench, ending with a surprisingly good fantasy line. Playing as the primary backup behind Terry Rozier, Smith could be worth grabbing in deeper formats until such time that we see LaMelo Ball (ankle) back on the floor.

OCTOBER 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Hornets relying on LaMelo Ball, young draft picks to emerge

The Charlotte Hornets are relying on the continued growth of All-Star point guard LaMelo Ball and the development of a host of young draft picks to help them take the next step aft...

OCTOBER 11, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ball's ankle sprain confirmed, status for opener unclear

An MRI shows point guard LaMelo Ball has only a sprained left ankle and no significant long-term injury

OCTOBER 11, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Should be available Monday Smith (personal) isn't listed on the Hornets' injury report ahead of Monday's preseason game against the Wizards.

Impact Smith missed the Hornets' previous two preseason tilts while tending to a personal matter, but he returned to practice Sunday and looks like he'll be available for the penultimate game of the exhibition slate. The 2017 lottery pick is battling 2021 first-round pick James Bouknight for the backup point guard job behind starter LaMelo Ball.

OCTOBER 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Spotted at practice Smith (personal) rejoined the Hornets and took part in practice Sunday, Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Impact The veteran point guard missed the previous two preseason contests due to personal reasons, but his return to practice suggests he'll be available for Monday's matchup with the Wizards. Smith is vying for the top backup job behind starter LaMelo Ball.

OCTOBER 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Out Friday Smith (personal) will not play in Friday's preseason game against the Celtics.

Impact Smith's absence marks his second straight missed game. His next opportunity to see the court arrives Monday against the Wizards. Smith has appeared in one preseason game with the Hornets, posting eight points (4-9 FG) two rebounds and one assist in 11 minutes of action.

OCTOBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Doubtful Friday Smith (personal) is doubtful for Friday's preseason game against Boston.

Impact Smith was unavailable for Wednesday's exhibition matchup for personal reasons, and it appears likely that he'll be sidelined once again Friday. Assuming that's the case, his next chance to suit up will be Monday against Washington.

OCTOBER 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Will not play Wednesday Smith (personal) will miss Wednesday's game against Indiana.

Impact The Hornets did not clarify any specifics of Smith's absence but it is not expected to impact his regular season availability. His next opportunity to make an appearance will be against the Celtics on Friday.

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Signs one-year deal Smith (elbow) inked a one-year contract with the Hornets on Wednesday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

Impact Smith has bounced around the NBA over the past few seasons, logging time with the Knicks, Pistons and most recently the Trail Blazers. The former ninth overall pick appeared in 37 games for Portland in 2021-22, averaging 5.6 points, 3.2 assists and 1.2 steals across 17.4 minutes of action. Smith joins a relatively thin Charlotte backcourt and will look to push second-year guard James Bouknight for backup minutes behind LaMelo Ball. Smith was dealing with a partially torn UCL when he was let go by the Hornets in February, but that is presumably no longer an issue.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

NBA BREAKING: Dallas Mavs Ex Dennis Smith Jr. Waived By Blazers - Tracker As the 2021-2022 season rolls on, keep up with all news as it relates to the Dallas Mavericks right here with our DallasBasketball.com NBA T...

FEBRUARY 21, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Let go by Portland The Trail Blazers plan to waive Smith (elbow) on Monday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

Impact By cutting Smith, Portland will be able to free up a spot on the 15-man roster for rookie big man Trendon Watford, who is having his two-way contract converted into a standard four-year NBA deal. Before suffering a partial tear to the UCL of his right elbow earlier this month, Smith appeared in 37 games for Portland, averaging 5.6 points, 3.6 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 17.2 minutes per contest. The 2017 lottery pick is on an expiring contract and isn't expected to be fully recovered from the elbow injury until around mid-March, so Portland determined it was better off using his roster spot elsewhere.

FEBRUARY 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Out at least 3-to-4 weeks Smith was diagnosed Wednesday with a partial tear of the UCL in his right elbow and will miss the next 3-to-4 weeks, Blazers studio host Jamie Hudson reports.

Impact Smith had already missed the last two games with the elbow issue, and he'll now remain out through at least the first week or two of March. It's a hit to the Blazers' guard depth, which is already thin with Eric Bledsoe (Achilles) and Damian Lillard (abdomen) sidelined. With Smith sidelined, Justise Winslow could get some looks as a primary ball-handler behind Anfernee Simons.

FEBRUARY 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Dennis Smith Jr. Injury Update ' Portland Trail Blazers PORTLAND, Ore. (February 16, 2022) – Following an MRI, Trail Blazers guard Dennis Smith Jr. has been diagnosed with a high-grade partial tea...

FEBRUARY 16, 2022 • NBA.COM

Memphis takes on Portland, seeks 5th straight home win

Memphis enters a matchup against Portland after winning four straight home games

FEBRUARY 16, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Remains out Wednesday Smith (elbow) won't play in Wednesday's game against Memphis, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.

Impact Smith will miss a third straight matchup with a right elbow strain, as the guard will have to wait until after the All-Star break to potentially make his Trail Blazers' debut. The former NC State standout is currently averaging 5.6 points and 3.6 assists across 37 games played this year.

FEBRUARY 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Unavailable Monday Smith (elbow) is out Monday against Milwaukee, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.

Impact Smith will be unavailable for a second straight game due to a right elbow strain. Justise Winslow could see additional work once again.

FEBRUARY 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Antetokounmpo and the Bucks take on the Trail Blazers

Giannis Antetokounmpo leads Milwaukee into a matchup against Portland averaging 29.0 points per game

FEBRUARY 13, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ruled out Saturday Smith has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Knicks due to a right elbow strain, Jay Allen of NBC Sports Northwest Rip City Radio 620 reports.

Impact Smith wasn't initially listed on the Trail Blazers' injury report, but he'll be unable to suit up against New York. Justise Winslow could see a slight uptick in playing time Saturday.

FEBRUARY 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Drops 11 dimes in win Smith finished Wednesday's 107-105 win over the Lakers with seven points (3-5 FG, 1-1 FT), two rebounds, 11 assists and six steals in 22 minutes.

Impact Smith was the assist magnet in the surprising win, and he proved to be more effective than Ben McLemore in the backcourt as a ball distributor. The line differential between Smith and Anfernee Simons is intriguing because the split could be a portent of things to come. Simons continued to thrive without a big assist number, making him the heir apparent to CJ McCollum when Damian Lillard (abdomen) returns to take over the point position.

FEBRUARY 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Simons has 29 and Blazers rally for 107-105 win over Lakers

Anfernee Simons scored 29 points and the Portland Trail Blazers snapped a six-game losing streak with a 107-105 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers

FEBRUARY 10, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Available Sunday Smith (ankle/knee) is available for Sunday's game against the Bulls.

Impact Smith will play through the ankle and knee injuries for the second straight game, which isn't a surprise since he was considered probable for Sunday. He's averaged 4.0 points, 1.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 12.2 minutes across his past five contests.

JANUARY 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Likely to play vs. Bulls Smith (ankle/knee) is probable for Sunday's game against the Bulls, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.

Impact Smith appears likely to play through his injuries for a second consecutive game. He was held scoreless with a rebound, two assists and a steal in 12 minutes during Friday's win over Houston.

JANUARY 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Available Friday Smith (ankle) will be available in a reserve role Friday versus the Rockets, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.

Impact Smith is set to return from a one-game absence and will resume his role as a depth guard. He has averaged 12.4 minutes off the bench across the last five games.

JANUARY 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable Friday Smith (ankle) is questionable for Friday's game at Houston, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.

Impact Smith missed Wednesday's matchup with the Mavericks, but his absence could be limited to one game. He's averaged 5.2 points, 1.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 12.4 minutes off the bench across his past five appearances.

JANUARY 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Houston hosts Portland on home losing streak

Houston will try to stop its nine-game home slide when the Rockets play Portland

JANUARY 27, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS