Dallas Mavericks rookie point guard Dennis Smith Jr. announced he will play tonight against the Golden State Warriors, while noting his anticipation to matching up against their point guard Stephen Curry, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon.

“I feel great,” said Smith after missing the last two games with a knee injury. “I went and got an MRI done. All my ligaments feel and look great, just a little bit of swelling, which is bound to happen. We're just being cautious at the beginning of the year.”

The Dallas Mavericks rookie  impressed in his team debut against the Atlanta Hawks, totaling 16 points and 10 assists before sitting out his next couple of games. Asked if he was good to go tonight, the North Carolina State product quickly reassured the media of his status.

“I'm playing tonight,” Smith said.

This game marks a special place for the Mavs rookie, as he has circled this day in his calendar, when he'll go up against Curry, a player he's looked up to.

“He's debatably the best point guard in the league,” he said. “That's the goal I'm trying to get to.”

Dennis Smith Jr. signed with Under Armour shortly after the NBA Draft, being one of two notable rookies wearing the Maryland-based brand along with Phoenix Suns forward Josh Jackson.