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

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Jabari Smith Jr. has drawn the ire of many Houston Rockets fans this season. Buy and large, he's been relatively inconsistent. Even in a career year, like he's currently having in the 2025-26 NBA season.

Los Angeles Lakers News / NBA on ClutchPoints / December 30

LeBron James gets ‘incredible’ take from Nick Smith Jr. on 41st birthday

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James celebrated his birthday on Tuesday while he’s in the midst of a never-before-done 23rd season in the NBA. James has a couple of teammates on the Lakers who were barely born during his rookie season in the league.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Lakers Nation / December 30

JJ Redick Wants Nick Smith Jr. To Be Aggressive

Luka Doncic led the way and LeBron James had another strong outing, but it was two-way contract player Nick Smith Jr. who gave the Los Angeles Lakers an extra boost in their win over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night to snap their three-game losing streak.

LeBron James News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'NBA all-time scoring leaders' quiz

How many of the NBA's top 30 career scorers can you name in five minutes?

The 'Multi-time NBA MVPs' quiz

The 'NBA Christmas Day triple-doubles' quiz

The '60-point NBA games' quiz

Houston Rockets News / NBA on ClutchPoints / December 30

How Rockets’ Kevin Durant is helping Jabari Smith Jr unlock his offensive game

Despite the Houston Rockets’ recent troubles with closing out games, Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. led their team in a 126-119 win against the Indiana Pacers.

NBA News / Yardbarker

The 25 greatest rivalries in NBA history

Part of what makes the NBA, or any pro sports league, so compelling to watch is the narratives, especially those centered on rivalries. Throughout the decades, the NBA has fostered a number of rivalries, some long-lasting and others short but sweet.

Los Angeles Lakers News / LAFB Network / December 29

Backup Guard Provides Lakers Hope For Injury Riddled Backcourt

The Los Angeles Lakers responded to a three-game losing streak and a critical team meeting with one of their most complete performances of the 2025 season, defeating the Sacramento Kings 125-101 at Crypto.com Arena.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Last Word On Sports / December 29

Lakers Two-Way Guard Proving Worthy of Increased Role

As the Los Angeles Lakers battle yet another injury crisis toward the end of the year, the available players are carrying the “next man up” mentality. Two-way signee Nick Smith Jr.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Lakers Nation / December 29

Nick Smith Jr. Remained Confident, Ready To Make Most Of Opportunity

With the Los Angeles Lakers missing both Austin Reaves and Gabe Vincent — the former for at least four weeks — Nick Smith Jr. knew that his number was going to be called.

NBA News / NBA on ClutchPoints / December 29

Nick Smith Jr. reveals mentality behind offensive explosion vs. Kings

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Lakers snapped their three-game losing streak following their 125-101 win against the visiting Sacramento Kings, and a big reason for that win was the contributions of Nick Smith Jr.

Jordan Smith Jr. Powers Duke Pipeline School to Top Ranking

The Paul VI Catholic High School (Va.) Panthers, featuring a potential Duke basketball recruiting prize in elite combo guard Jordan Smith Jr., have recorded only one loss this season.

Houston Rockets News / Hoops Rumors / December 25

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.

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.

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The 'Leading receivers vs. each NFL team' quiz

The 'CFP appearances' quiz

The 'Top-50 all-time NFL rushers' quiz

The 'Most NFL pass completions' 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.

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.

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.

Dallas Mavericks News / Scoop B / November 15

Dennis Smith Jr. to Join Wisconsin Herd

Point guard Dennis Smith Jr. is headed to the Wisconsin Herd, the G League affiliate of the Milwaukee Bucks per sources. The move comes shortly after the 27-year-old guard was waived by the Dallas Mavericks last month.

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.

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.