Nick Smith Jr. Shines Off Bench as Injuries Force Lakers to Reshuffle Backcourt
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The Los Angeles Lakers turned to guard Nick Smith Jr. on Sunday night after losing Austin Reaves for at least four weeks and continuing to play without Gabe Vincent. Head coach JJ Redick, who had promised rotation changes, gave the second-year guard 24 minutes in a home matchup against the Sacramento Kings at Crypto.com Arena.
Smith responded with 21 points on 8-for-14 shooting, including 5-of-10 from three-point range. He hit his first seven attempts and logged the sixth-most minutes on the roster, trailing only fellow reserve Jake LaRavia’s 25 among bench players. His scoring helped stabilize the Lakers during stretches without Luka Doncic or LeBron James on the floor.
“In this league you’ve got to have confidence,” Smith said afterward. “If you don’t, they’ll see it right away. I feel like I can hoop with the best of them. I’m still young and have a long way to go, but I’m putting one foot in front of the other and keep working.”
Redick awarded Smith the game ball, a gesture the guard said will end up in his mother’s trophy case. “I’m blessed to be here,” he added. “A lot of guys where I’m from would love to be in this situation.”
The coach’s revamped substitution pattern included pulling Doncic at the three-minute mark of the first quarter—earlier than usual—and inserting Smith. Redick said he intends to stick with the adjustment after its early success.
Selected in the first round two years ago, Smith has seen limited NBA action until now. With Reaves sidelined for at least a month, the Lakers expect the Arkansas product to remain a key contributor.
Source: Lakers Nation
