J.R. Smith: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Dorian Finney-Smith Could Make Rockets Debut Today

Veteran forward Dorian Finney-Smith could make his Rockets debut today when Houston faces the Lakers. He’s listed as questionable to play, according to Real GM.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Prime Duke Basketball Target Jordan Smith Jr. Reveals Timeline

While shining at the annual City of Palms Classic prep showcase in Fort Myers, Fla., this week, potential Duke basketball recruiting prize Jordan Smith Jr.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / December 20

Kevin Durant Pinpoints Ways Rockets can Optimize Jabari Smith Jr. More

Since getting drafted by the Houston Rockets in 2022, Jabari Smith Jr. has had a bit of a bumpy ride of an NBA career. A roller coaster, if you will. He initially had his sights set on the Orlando Magic, who held the first overall pick and had been linked to him for months.

College Basketball News / Duke Blue Devils on SI / December 19

Potential Duke Basketball Commit Goes for 40 in Florida

Paul VI Catholic High School (Va.) standout combo guard and longtime Duke basketball target Jordan Smith Jr. is off to a brilliant start at the 2025 City of Palms Classic in Fort Myers, Fla.

San Antonio Spurs News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'NBA Christmas Day 40-point games' quiz

In NBA history, a player has scored 40 or more points on Christmas Day on 30 occasions. How many of those can you name in five minutes?

The 'NBA all-time scoring leaders' quiz

The 'Most 40-point games in NBA history' quiz

The 'NBA playoff point-per-game leaders' quiz

Houston Rockets News / The Dream Shake / December 15

Rockets Jabari Smith Jr. is having an identity crisis

For some NBA fans, the line between star and role player is rigid. It does not yield. If you’re a star, you’re invaluable. If you’re a role player, you’re dispensable.

NBA News / Yardbarker

Which NBA teams have the best Christmas Day records?

Christmas and the NBA go hand-in-hand. The day serves for the top hoops league in the world, like Thanksgiving for the NFL. However, while the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys are perpetual Thanksgiving participants, the NBA has mixed up the matchups and the teams throughout the years.

College Basketball News / Duke Blue Devils on SI / December 12

Arkansas Head Coach Eyes Duke Basketball Target Jordan Smith Jr.

Arkansas basketball head coach and recruiting mastermind John Calipari was in Chantilly, Va., on Thursday night to watch coveted combo guard Jordan Smith Jr., a prime Duke basketball recruiting prospect, and his Paul VI Catholic High School Panthers host the Archbishop Stepinac High School (N.Y.) Crusaders.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / December 8

Despite Loss, Jabari Smith Jr.'s Good Game Adds to His Career-Best Season

The Houston Rockets, playing the second night of a back-to-back and without their top two centers in Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams, knew it would be tough to come away with their 16th win of the season.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / December 4

Rockets' Jabari Smith Jr. Gets Slighted, Misses Top-100 Cut

To date, Jabari Smith Jr. hasn't quite lived up to his hype, based purely on draft positioning. Smith fell to the Rockets third overall but was expected to be the top overall pick in his draft class, up until the waning moments leading up to the draft.

NBA News / Duke Blue Devils on SI / December 2

Priority Duke Basketball Target Visiting Again as Decision Nears

Paul VI Catholic High School (Va.) senior guard Jordan Smith Jr., a former teammate to two current Duke basketball sophomores in reserve guard Darren Harris and starting center Patrick Ngongba II, has already checked out the Blue Devils in person on two separate occasions.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / November 30

Jabari Smith Jr. Has Found the Perfect Role Within the Rockets

In terms of purely evaluating a player based on their draft position, Jabari Smith Jr. hasn't been the player people expected. The third overall pick is usually slotted for a potential franchise star.

Where Duke Basketball Stands in Jordan Smith Jr. Sweepstakes

A No. 5 national ranking in a recruiting cycle, where the Blue Devils currently sit with their 2026 efforts, is actually a bit subpar for Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer and his staff.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / November 25

Jabari Smith Jr. Is More Important To The Rockets Than Some Realize

When NBA followers discuss the Houston Rockets' chances at a deep postseason run, they understandably focus on the performance of the team's top players: Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, and Amen Thompson.

Houston Rockets News / The Dream Shake / November 24

Rockets Contend With Phoenix Rising From The Ashes, A Little

Location: Mortgage Matchup Center, Really, Seriously, Mortgage Matchup? Phoenix, AZ TV: Space City Sports Network Radio:KBME Sports Talk 790 Online: Rockets App Gametime: 8:30 PM CST Rockets: Reed Sheppard, A.

Houston Rockets News / Bleacher Report / November 22

Watch: Jokic dunks over 2 Rockets

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'NBA Christmas Day 40-point games' quiz

The 'Most 3-passing, 1-rushing TD games' quiz

The 'NFL's active 300-yard passers' quiz

The 'Multiple 3-rushing-TD games in a season' quiz

NBA News / NBA Analysis Network / November 21

JR Smith’s 2014 Knicks confession explains his viral 2018 NBA Finals moment with LeBron James

Former NBA player JR Smith struggled with Phil Jackson’s proven offensive technique. JR Smith became one of the best bench players in the NBA during his five-year stint with the Denver Nuggets from 2006 to 2011.

NBA News / Larry Brown Sports / November 19

Jabari Smith Jr, Nae’Qwan Tomlin have an altercation during game

The undrafted Nae’Qwan Tomlin managed to get under the skin of the former top-three pick Jabari Smith Jr. during Wednesday’s game. Tomlin and the Cleveland Cavaliers faced off against Smith and the Houston Rockets.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Lakers Nation / November 4

Nick Smith Jr. Came Up Big For Lakers Against Trail Blazers Despite Battling Illness

The Los Angeles Lakers have developed a reputation for rehabbing players’ values and their latest reclamation project appears to be Nick Smith Jr. The Lakers signed Smith to a two-way deal in free agency after he was waived by the Charlotte Hornets, a surprising move considering he was a first-round pick just two years ago.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Lakers Nation / October 1

It Didn’t Take Long For Nick Smith Jr. To Notice Difference Between Lakers & Hornets

Just before the start of training camp, the Los Angeles Lakers filled their final two-way spot by signing former first-round pick Nick Smith Jr. Smith was recently let go by the Charlotte Hornets after just two seasons with the team.

Charlotte Hornets News / Charlotte Hornets on SI / September 30

Nick Smith Jr's release shows an organizational change in Charlotte

Three years ago, Nick Smith Jr was the #1 ranked player on 24/7 Sports. Two years ago, Nick Smith Jr was a first round draft pick. Four days ago, Nick Smith Jr was waived by the Charlotte Hornets.

NBA News / Hoops Rumors / September 29

Nick Smith Jr. Signs Two-Way Deal With Lakers

The Lakers have added Nick Smith Jr. on a two-way contract, the team announced in a press release (Twitter link via Khobi Price of the Orange County Register.

Charlotte Hornets News / Charlotte Hornets on SI / September 26

The Nick Smith Jr 'era' in Charlotte was nothing but a pure disappointment

Nobody ever wants to admit they were wrong on a draft pick. In all of the fantasy football leagues I have participated in, I have continually whiffed on draft picks I thought were for sure going to hit.

Arkansas Razorbacks News / Arkansas Razorbacks on SI / September 25

Former Razorbacks' guard Nick Smith looking for new team after getting waived

In a move that on the surface seemed stunning, the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday waived their 2023 NBA Draft first round pick, Nick Smith Jr. A Jacksonville, Ark., native and former Arkansas Razorbacks star guard, Smith (6-3) started in 27 of the 60 games he played in for the Hornets in 2024-25.

Charlotte Hornets News / Fastbreak on SI / September 25

Top NBA Free Agent Guards After Hornets' Nick Smith Jr. Move

The Charlotte Hornets are cutting ties with the young veteran Nick Smith Jr. The move comes as a bit of a shock, considering he was just drafted by the Hornets during the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft.

NBA News / Last Word On Sports / September 19

Can Dennis Smith Jr. Complete NBA Comeback With Mavs?

It’s a tale that’s far from unique for Dennis Smith Jr., but there was once a time he was viewed as a potential franchise cornerstone. Hindsight being 20/20, it sounds unbelievable now.

Louisville Cardinals News / Louisville Cardinals on SI / September 16

Report: Five-Star '27 Wing Gabe Nesmith to Visit Louisville

The Louisville men's basketball program is continuing to get some of the top high school prospects in the country on campus for visits. Gabe Nesmith, a five-star prospect in the Class of 2027, is set to take an unofficial visit to the Cardinals later this fall, according to League Ready's Sam Kayser.

NBA News / Athlon Sports / September 3

Five-Star Jordan Smith Jr. Poised to Draw Elite Attention From Duke

Jordan Smith Jr., the 6-foot-2 shooting guard from Paul VI Catholic in Virginia, welcomed Duke head coach Jon Scheyer for an in-home visit Thursday, a source told Rivals Joe Tipton.

NBA News / Fadeaway World / June 13

J.R. Smith Sets The Record Straight On His Infamous 2018 Finals Blunder

At first glance, the 2018 NBA Finals don't look like anything special. The Warriors beat the Cavaliers 4-0 that year in a dominant display of greatness.