The Los Angeles Lakers entered Monday night’s matchup with more questions than answers — the biggest being: Where would the scoring come from?
Missing LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves due to injuries, the Lakers were severely shorthanded. Adding to the uncertainty, Deandre Ayton was returning to the lineup after missing time with back spasms.
Amid the doubt, it was Nick Smith Jr., a 2023 first-round pick out of Arkansas, who rose to the occasion. The young guard scored 25 points on 10-for-15 shooting, adding six assists and two steals to lead the Lakers’ offense.
Smith Jr. signed a two-way contract with Los Angeles over the offseason after being waived by the team that drafted him, the Charlotte Hornets. He appeared in 111 games with Charlotte over two seasons, including 27 starts last year. During the 2024 campaign, he averaged 9.9 points, 2.4 assists, and 2.1 rebounds per game.
Ayton and Rui Hachimura also made major contributions, combining for 57 points in the victory. The Lakers improved to 6-2 overall and a perfect 4-0 on the road.
Although Smith Jr.’s appearances will be limited by his two-way contract, his performance was a statement game — and a chance to prove Charlotte wrong for letting him go.
If Smith Jr. does blossom into a star in Los Angeles, it wouldn’t be the first time the Lakers found a franchise guard from Charlotte. After all, Kobe Bryant was famously acquired from the Hornets on draft night in 1996.
The Lakers will have Tuesday off before hosting Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday at Crypto.com Arena.
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