New York Knicks guard Dennis Smith Jr. left Thursday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers with concussion-like symptoms, per the team:
Dennis Smith Jr (concussion-like symptoms) will not return to tonight’s game.
— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) February 28, 2020
As Steve Popper of Newsday noted, the Knicks have just one true point guard on the roster (Elfrid Payton) after Smith's injury. Frank Ntilikina continues to nurse a groin injury that might jeopardize his status for the remainder of the season:
And Knicks say Dennis Smith Jr. won't return – concussion-like symptoms. That's down to Payton as the only true point guard.
— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) February 28, 2020
Smith finished the contest with four points in seven minutes of action.
The injury serves as yet another setback for Smith in what has already been a very trying season.
Smith was supposed to be the centerpiece of the deal that sent Kristaps Porzingis to the Dallas Mavericks last February, but he never really established a consistent role under former Knicks head coach David Fizdale.
When he has played, Smith has been woefully inefficient. He entered Thursday night's game shooting just 34 percent from the field while averaging 3.8 turnovers per 36 minutes.
Smith saw an uptick in playing time in each of the previous two games, getting over 20 minutes of run in losses to the Houston Rockets and Charlotte Hornets. He showed some vibrance against the Rockets, scoring 15 points to go along with seven rebounds, five assists and a whopping seven steals.
But Smith also shot a combined 9-of-24 from the field in those games, and his inconsistency has been the story of his year. The playmaking and athleticism capabilities are there, but the potential has not equaled results for Smith in New York.
The Knicks will hope Payton can stay healthy given the state of their roster, especially if this injury sidelines Smith for the time being.
Follow Us
Subscribe