This was the healthy version of Dennis Smith Jr. the Nets have been waiting for over the past few weeks.
The Nets dropped their fifth consecutive game, but Smith provided Brooklyn with a lift off the bench with seven points and five assists over 19 minutes in his first appearance since early December due to a strained lower back.
The 26-year-old Smith, who was signed as a free agent over the summer, was a key contributor to a powerful effort by Brooklyn’s second unit to steer the Nets back from an early 11-point hole.
“I’m just going to get on my knees and pray tonight that this same group is on the market to play,” coach Jacque Vaughn said after the Nets’ hard-fought 122-117 loss to the Nuggets. “This group hasn’t been available to play [together]. In order that’s what I asked them, to do whatever you could have to do to be able to play [Saturday against the Pistons].”
Smith has missed half of the Nets’ first 28 games in two separate injury stints.
“The primary couple of days, it was tough. Because I used to be in pain, I couldn’t move. I used to be hurting. I used to be in quite a lot of pain,” Smith said before the sport. “I got here in, I used to be doing my treatment, they left me back on the road trip, which was idea on their behalf. Just when it comes to traveling, sitting on a plane and things like that.
“But I got here in daily, got my work in, and I feel higher. I’m able to go now.”
The previous lottery pick of the Mavericks already is on his sixth team in seven NBA seasons — including a stint with the Knicks — but Vaughn and Smith’s teammates have noted that the Nets have missed his defensive intensity and talent to push the pace.
“Big time. I feel his energy and energy are contagious,” Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie. “What he brings on the defensive end is exclusive to anybody on this roster. He’s an impact player.”
Nic Claxton had a season-high 16 rebounds and a career-high six assists to go together with 10 points and three blocked shots.
Ben Simmons (back) and Lonnie Walker IV (hamstring) remained out for Brooklyn.
