Nick Smith Jr. went nuclear against the Blazers for the shorthanded Lakers on Monday, scoring 25 points in the shocking win, leaving it all on the floor in the process.
Well, not literally. He actually left some bad parts elsewhere in Moda Center.
Midway through his memorable night, Smith Jr. raced off the court and into the tunnel at halftime where he threw up. He then came back on the court and scored 17 points in the second half, including his back-to-back 3-pointers in the fourth that put Portland
away for good.
Fortunately, he was all jokes about the situation postgame.
“It was funny,” Rui Hachimura said postgame. “When he made a run, it was the first quarter or second quarter…we came back during the timeout and I said, ‘Hey, keep going’ and he’s like ‘My stomach hurts’ and he left. I told coach, ‘Nick left. He just left. You have to put somebody on.’
“But I knew that he was going to have a good game and from there, he was just going crazy. I’m so happy for him.”
Smith Jr., not even a permanent Laker on the roster, playing this well while getting sick mid-game, places his ralph-and-rally story among the best ever.
His performance was a surprise to Lakers fans, but he has the talent to do it. Last season, against the Hornets, he had 28 points in a loss against the Raptors and he scored 26 in a win over the Spurs.
Facing a roster crunch in the backcourt, Charlotte waived Smith Jr. late this summer, leading to his two-way deal with the Lakers where he’s fighting for his NBA life. This game showed he still has plenty more to give.
“I can’t relate to being on a two-way contract,” head coach JJ Redick said. “There were times, early in my career, where you’re just called upon in the spot and you have to go and perform. I have such empathy for a guy who’s put in a situation like that and kind of has to deliver for us to have a chance to win a game and he was awesome. Just really, really gutsy, really tough mentally for him to come in and do that tough and battling whatever he was battling.”
Smith Jr.’s performance against the Blazers is the kind of feel-good story that makes one fall in love with basketball. Hard work and giving your best effort don’t always get rewarded. Things didn’t work out for Smith Jr. with the Hornets, but in Los Angeles, he’s been accepted by all and has taken advantage of his opportunities so far.
“It means a lot,” Smith Jr. said. “I’m blessed to be in this position. I’ve got a good group around me, a good coaching staff. Each and every day I’m learning. Just having guys like [Marcus Smart] around and coach JJ and guys that have been there before and won at a high level, I’m definitely learning a lot so I’m glad to be here.”
Smith Jr. throwing up and balling out puts him in the mix right there with Michael Jordan’s Flu game and Austin Reaves’ performance during the in-season tournament, as one of the best basketball moments by a player while ill.
I hope an MJ stan reads this and takes it to heart.
Seriously, though, winning this game makes taking a chance on Smith Jr. already well worth it for the Lakers. Hopefully, he continues to shine with every moment he gets and this is the last time the bubble guts get the better of him.
Though if that’s what it takes for him to play this well, he might have to take one for the team and keep on playing through it.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
