Smith totaled 11 points (3-7 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 4-6 FT), three rebounds, three assists and one steal across 34 minutes during Thursday's 114-104 win over Toronto.
With Josh Richardson (heel) still sidelined, Smith saw a career-high 34 minutes. The third-year player made the most of it, tying his season high in points, outscoring starter Duncan Robinson (eight) and fellow second-unit guys Jaime Jaquez (six) and Terry Rozier (five). Thursday night's game made it clear that coach Erik Spoelstra trusts Smith to produce in a larger role as long as Richardson remains out.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Cleared for Wednesday's game
Rotowire
Smith (knee) will suit up for Wednesday's game at the Hornets.
Smith has seen periodic minutes for Miami this season, though coach Erik Spoelstra seems to be searching for a spark, so fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if Smith gets an extra look now and then. In 10.4 minutes per game this season, the guard is averaging 2.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.0 assists.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Probable for Wednesday
Rotowire
Smith (knee) is probable for Wednesday's game against the Hornets.
Smith will likely be available after missing two straight games due to a knee injury. However, he has had a volatile role with the Heat, and he's not guaranteed to see any rotation minutes on a nightly basis.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Out Tuesday
Rotowire
Smith (knee) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Bucks.
Smith is slated to miss a second straight game due to a knee injury. His role has been sporadic this season, so his absence shouldn't impact Miami's rotation, especially considering the Heat are getting Terry Rozier (foot) back from a two-game absence.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Questionable for Tuesday
Rotowire
Smith (knee) is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Bucks.
Smith missed Sunday's game against Dallas due to a right knee bone bruise he suffered in Friday's practice, but he remains day-to-day. When the Heat are healthy, Smith faces an uphill battle for consistent minutes.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Out Sunday with bone bruise
Rotowire
Smith won't play in Sunday's game against Dallas due to a right knee bone bruise.
Smith sat out Friday's practice with the injury. The two-way player has been largely outside of the Heat's rotation this season, though he saw 25 minutes off the bench in Miami's most recent game Monday and recorded 10 points (4-7 FG, 2-4 3Pt), six rebounds, three assists and three steals in a win over the 76ers. The Heat will get Jaime Jaquez (ankle) back from a one-game absence Sunday, and he could end up absorbing most of Smith's minutes.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Sits out practice
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Smith didn't participate in Friday's practice due to a swollen knee, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
With Terry Rozier (foot) out for Miami's most recent contest, Smith logged 25 minutes of action. However, with Rozier nearing a return to the lineup, Smith will likely return to a depth role in the team's backcourt. Regardless, the 26-year-old guard's absence from practice is a bad sign of his availability for Sunday's matchup with Dallas.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Back to bench
Rotowire
Smith won't start Wednesday's regular-season opener against the Magic.
With most of Miami's regulars resting during the preseason finale, Smith drew a spot start. However, aside from Josh Richardson (shoulder), the Heat are healthy heading into the regular season, so Smith isn't guaranteed playing time on Opening Night.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Season over
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The Heat announced Friday that Smith (knee) is expected to miss the remainder of the season, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
An MRI revealed a third-degree right knee sprain for Smith, which will result in a premature end to his season. The second-year guard averaged 4.3 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.8 triples across 14.6 minutes in nine games. His absence will thin the depth in Miami's backcourt until they make a corresponding move.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Out Friday, getting MRI
Rotowire
Smith (knee) is out for Friday's matchup against the Knicks and will be getting an MRI that day, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Smith's role has fluctuated this season based on teammate availability, but now he's the one dealing with an injury. Even if his MRI returns clean, it seems unlikely he'd play Saturday against the Nets, either.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Suffers knee injury, ruled out
Rotowire
Smith won't return to Wednesday's game against the Cavaliers due to a right knee injury.
After jumping to contest a three-pointer, Smith's right leg came down into what appeared to be an opening underneath the Cavaliers bench, and the guard immediately left the contest. He won't return with what is being called a right knee injury, and he'll finish the contest scoreless over one minute. Expect Josh Richardson and Jaime Jaquez to see more work off the bench. Smith's next chance to play will come Friday against the Knicks -- the first game of a back-to-back set.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Upgraded to standard contract
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The Heat signed Smith to a multi-year standard NBA contract Saturday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
After making 15 NBA appearances in 2022-23 between the Heat and Nets and averaging 2.9 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 10.5 minutes, Smith re-signed with Miami on a two-way pact in July. The Heat had an opening on the 15-man roster, and Smith will ultimately step in to fill the void while Miami keeps Cole Swider, R.J. Hampton and Jamal Cain as its three two-way players heading into the start of the regular season. It's unclear if Smith will open the season with a regular spot in head coach Erik Spoelstra's rotation.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Cleared to play
Rotowire
Smith (hamstring) is available for Wednesday's preseason game against the Nets, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Smith missed the previous contest due to a hamstring injury but will be back in action Wednesday. He figures to handle a major role, as Miami has a handful of regulars sidelined versus Brooklyn for various reasons.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Puts up 13 points in loss
Rotowire
Smith racked up 13 points (5-10 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-3 FT), three rebounds and three assists across 26 minutes in Friday's 120-104 preseason loss to the Spurs.
Smith got the start at point guard with several regulars being rested, and he delivered a strong performance despite the loss. Smith is currently playing on a two-way deal, and given the Heat's depth in the backcourt, he's expected to begin the season in the G League with Sioux Falls.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Gets start Friday
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Smith will start Friday's preseason game against the Spurs, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
The Heat have 10 players ruled out, including all of their normal starters. Smith will be joined by Duncan Robinson, Jamal Cain, Haywood Highsmith and Thomas Bryant in the starting five, and they all figure to play heavy minutes with Miami shorthanded.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Signs two-way deal with Heat
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The Heat signed Smith to a two-way contract Saturday, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Smith played for the Heat in the beginning of 2022-23 before being waived and picked up by Brooklyn. In 15 appearances between the Nets and Heat last season, he averaged 2.9 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 10.5 minutes. Smith will split time between the NBA and G League in 2023-24.
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Nets' Dru Smith: Posts efficient shooting line
Rotowire
Smith scored 19 points (9-12 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 0-1 FT), seven rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block in 37 minutes Saturday against the Charge.
Smith led Long Island's bench in scoring with 19 points and he did so by knocking down 75.0 percent of his tries from the field. He also crashed the glass for seven rebounds, tying RaiQuan Gray for the team lead.
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Nets' Dru Smith: Tallies 15 points in loss
Rotowire
Smith amassed 15 points (5-10 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 2-4 FT), seven rebounds and two assists in 33 minutes Friday against the Charge.
Smith made 50.0 percent of his tries from the field and added six points from beyond the arc. He finished the night second on his team in rebounds, tallying three of his seven boards on the offensive glass.
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Nets' Dru Smith: Tallies 19 points as reserve
Rotowire
Smith collected 19 points (7-14 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 2-3 FT), three rebounds, eight assists, two steals and one block in 33 minutes Tuesday against Motor City.
Smith returned to form after being held to only nine points Feb. 26 against Austin. He shot with efficiency from the field (50.0 percent) and also distributed the basketball, tallying his highest assist total since Jan. 7.
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Nets' Dru Smith: Steps in as backup point guard
Rotowire
Smith supplied five points (2-3 FG, 1-1 3Pt), two rebounds and two steals over 12 minutes in Tuesday's 116-112 loss to the Suns.
With trades and injuries having tested the Nets' depth of late, Smith has assumed backup point guard duties for the NBA team the past two games after he had played exclusively in the G League since inking a two-way deal with Brooklyn on Jan. 13. Though Smith averaged a respectable 3.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals in 12.5 minutes behind back-to-back losses to the Clippers and Suns, he'll presumably be headed out of the NBA rotation and back to the Long Island Nets if the newly acquired Spencer Dinwiddie is available to pay Thursday against the Bulls.
