Nick Smith Jr. reveals the mentality behind the offensive explosion against the Kings

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Lakers snapped a three-game losing streak with a 125-101 win against the visiting Sacramento Kings, and a big reason for that victory was the contributions of Nick Smith Jr. off the bench. Before the game, the head coach of the Lakers JJ Redick mentioned that Smith will get his chance amid backcourt injuries to Austin Reeves and Gabe Vincent.

During the Lakers’ win against the Kings, Nick Smith certainly did took advantage of his opportunityknocked down his first seven shots and finished with 21 of 44 points off the bench. After the game, Smith talked about his game-to-game mentality given the fact that he has a two-way contract.

“It’s up and down because obviously I’m on a two-way plan. So one day I might play and then the next two games I might not. So just take it one day at a time,” Smith said. “I try to make every day my game day. I try to prepare my body when my name is called. And tonight was one of those nights.”

Smith was the Lakers’ third leading scorer, behind only Luka Doncic (34) and LeBron James (24). He shot 8 of 14 (57.1 percent) from the field and 5 of 10 (50 percent) from the 3-point line. He also added three rebounds, one assist, one steal and gave the Lakers extra possession on the court. For some possessions, he was the primary point guard.

For December, Smith started in the Lakers’ first three games of the month. Three consecutive cancellations followed. Then three more actions, and then another DNP. The Lakers coaching staff has to be careful about tracking Smith’s availability due to the nature of the two-way contract. But regardless, Smith will be ready whenever he needs to be.

“I’m just in the space where I’m locked in right now. I’m just trying to do everything I can to help this team win. I’m just trying to prepare every day like it’s game day, and it showed tonight,” Smith said. “The coaching staff gave me a lot of confidence to go out there and do what I do. I haven’t had that in a long time, so that was definitely a big help.”

Entering Sunday’s game, Smith had appeared in 12 games, including one start, with just over 15 minutes per game. He averaged 7.6 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists while shooting 43.8 percent from the field and 41 percent from the 3-point line.

There is precedent for the Lakers in terms of converting a player on a two-way contract to a standard deal, as they did last season with Jordan Goodwin. But such a move would have to happen sometime in the second half of the season.