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61 articles
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
1 day ago
Friday’s game was the first for Smart since March 21, and the veteran guard was used in a reserve role against the Suns. While he can be inconsistent at best as a scorer, Smart’s abilities as a perimeter defender make him an essential contributor for the Lakers. Especially with Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves not likely to be ready when the playoffs begin on April 18.
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
2 days ago
Smart will be back following a nine-game absence, and the reinforcements for this depleted Lakers rotation will be helpful. Luke Kennard (finger) has been starting but is questionable for this game. Smart will likely replace him in the starting unit regardless of Kennard’s availability.
Source: NBA Injury Report
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
3 days ago
Smart will miss a ninth straight game as he recovers from an ankle injury. Jake LaRavia will continue to start, and he’ll need to offer greater production since Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves are also out.
Source: NBA Injury Report
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
4 days ago
Smart has missed the last eight games, but his upgrade to questionable gives him a chance to get on the floor to help an injury-hit Lakers team down the stretch of the regular season. Smart has fit in nicely during his first season in Los Angeles. If he plays, he’ll provide defense and three-point shooting.
Source: NBA Injury Report
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
6 days ago
Smart’s absence on Tuesday will mark his eighth straight. With injuries to Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, and now Smart, the Lakers’ backcourt depth is being tested. Luke Kennard and Jake LaRavia could start and see extended minutes, yet again.
Source: Justin Martinez
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
8 days ago
Smart remains out for a seventh straight game as he continues to recover from a right ankle contusion. Jake LaRavia will get another start, and he has a higher fantasy ceiling with Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves also out.
Source: NBA Injury Report
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
11 days ago
Thursday’s game is the sixth that Smart has missed due to a right ankle contusion. Jake LaRavia will continue to start, which makes him worth a look in deeper fantasy leagues.
Source: NBA Injury Report
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
12 days ago
Smart is still dealing with a right ankle contusion and will miss his fifth consecutive game on Tuesday. Jake LaRavia should continue to start with Smart still sidelined.
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
17 days ago
Smart will miss a third consecutive game with a right ankle contusion. Jake LaRavia has been his replacement in the starting lineup, but he has offered limited streaming value in that role.
Source: NBA Injury Report
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
18 days ago
Smart was initially listed as doubtful and has now officially been ruled out for a second straight game. Jake LaRavia should start once again, though he was unproductive in 29 minutes as a starter on Monday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
19 days ago
Smart is expected to remain out for a second straight game. Jake LaRavia should be in line for a second straight start, though he only contributed seven points, one rebound and one assist in 29 minutes during Monday’s loss.
Source: NBA Injury Report
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
20 days ago
The pair of Lakers will be out as the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed tries to snap LA’s nine-game win streak. In their places, expect Jake LaRavia and Luke Kennard - fresh off his game-winner against the Magic - to see additional playing time.
Source: NBA Injury Report
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
21 days ago
Smart is dealing with a sore right ankle, casting some doubt on his availability for Monday’s game. If he can’t play, Jake LaRavia would be asked to move into the starting lineup, giving him some streaming value in deep leagues. Luke Kennard would also pick up additional opportunities if Smart sits.
Source: NBA Injury Report
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
29 days ago
In his last three appearances before Saturday, Smart totaled 24 points on 8-of-23 shooting from the field. Given the recent production and his season-long value, few expected Smart to have the night that he did. The veteran guard shot 5-of-12 from beyond the arc, a season-high for made three-pointers, while recording his third 20-point game of the season. Expecting Smart to do this consistently would be a bit much, but he’s capable of coming through for fantasy managers every so often.
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
30 days ago
Smart is back after sitting out Thursday’s win over the Bulls with a hip injury. His return will likely push Rui Hachimura to the bench, as LeBron James returned from a foot injury the last time out.
Source: NBA Injury Report
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
about 1 month ago
Smart was initially listed as doubtful for this game and has now officially been downgraded to out. Jake LaRavia started when Smart was sidelined earlier this season and could return to that role for this game, which would provide him with upside as a streamer.
Source: Khobi Price
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
about 1 month ago
Smart, who took a hard fall during Tuesday’s win over the Timberwolves, is on track to sit out Thursday’s game with a hip contusion. Jake LaRavia, who Smart replaced in the starting lineup earlier this season, could be the replacement. If so, he would be worth streaming in deep leagues.
Source: NBA Injury Report
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
about 1 month ago
Smart has been solid all season, but this may have been one of his best performances. He made big contributions on both ends to help the Lakers finish the game on a 24-8 run. He now has nine steals over his last two games, and he set a new season high for blocks in this game. Of course, he also has nine triples over his last four games, making him an excellent fit as a three-and-D guard in this starting unit. Smart likely won’t continue racking up the defensive stats at this rate, but he’ll remain an excellent option for the Lakers.
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
2 months ago
Smart is one of four key contributors ruled out for Tuesday’s game, the second in as many nights for the Lakers. Fantasy managers should expect to see Luke Kennard, Dalton Knecht and Bronny James play significant minutes, as Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić are also out.
Source: Daniel Starkand
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
2 months ago
Smart will eventually return to the bench when the Lakers are finally healthy, but for now, he’ll remain productive. This was his second straight game with at least 15 points after five straight scoring in single digits. Smart isn’t a reliable option for fantasy managers, but he is still capable of making an impact. This was the first leg of a back-to-back, so it would be surprising if Austin Reaves (calf) played against the Spurs on Tuesday. That could mean extra minutes for Smart.
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
3 months ago
Smart limped off the court during the fourth quarter, heading to the locker room briefly before returning to the bench. He had an excellent night before the lower-body injury, with the 25 points being a season-high. There was no announcement from the Lakers regarding Smart’s injury, which may bode well for his availability for Sunday’s game against the Raptors. And if Luka Dončić (groin) can’t play, Smart will be worth streaming.
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
4 months ago
Luka Dončić’s absence due to a leg contusion meant the Lakers needed more production from their remaining guards. While Smart and Nick Smith Jr. (12 points, one rebound, one assist and one three-pointer) both reached double figures, neither came through with the stat line that would spark intrigue among fantasy managers. It’s safe to leave Smart and Smith on the waiver wire in most redraft leagues.
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
4 months ago
Sunday’s game will be the Lakers’ first since losing Austin Reaves to a mild calf strain in Wednesday’s loss to the Spurs. Smart will fill the void in the starting lineup, and he may be able to provide deep-league value playing off of Luka and LeBron. That’s the lone change to the starting lineup.
Source: NBA Lineups
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
4 months ago
Following a six-game absence, Smart will return to the lineup for Wednesday’s NBA Cup quarterfinal game. Smart had previously said he planned to play in this game, so this lines up. He’ll play a large reserve role, though that won’t be enough time for him to make much of an impact in fantasy basketball. However, with only two games being played that day, he is at least worth consideration.
Source: NBA Injury Report
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
4 months ago
“Back is feeling good. Felt good in practice today ... I’m gonna give it a shot tomorrow and see how it feels,” said Smart. The veteran guard should be considered probable for Wednesday’s tilt with the Spurs after missing the Lakers’ last six games.
Source: Mike Trudell
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
4 months ago
Smart will miss a sixth straight game as he continues to deal with a strained left lumbar muscle. While his absence does not affect fantasy basketball, it means Gabe Vincent will continue to play solid minutes, even with Luka Dončić (personal) available.
Source: Ryan Ward
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
4 months ago
Smart has missed the last four games with a back injury. He’ll continue to sit out as he manages the injury. Lakers coach JJ Redick told reporters earlier this week that he expected Smart back soon, but he’s missed two games since that quote and remains without a clear timetable to return.
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
4 months ago
Smart has missed the last three games with a lower back injury. The 31-year-old shooting guard will sit out again Thursday for injury management reasons. Gabe Vincent could see extra minutes with Smart out, but won’t be viable in fantasy basketball.
Source: Mark Medina
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
4 months ago
Redick said it’s “not a long-term thing.” Monday will be a third straight absence for Smart, but he could end up returning by Thursday to take on Toronto, which would cut into Gabe Vincent’s role.
Source: Mike Trudell
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
4 months ago
Smart will miss a third straight game with back spasms, freeing up rotation minutes for Gabe Vincent. However, with everyone else available, Vincent is unlikely to get the opportunities needed to impact fantasy basketball.
Source: Daniel Starkand