Braden Smith silenced every critic in one night. The rookie point guard dropped 19 points and dished out 10 assists during Monday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks. He did this while playing 42 minutes with his entire team decimated by injuries.
Smith entered the league as a second-round pick on a two-way contract. Many fans thought he was too small or just a ticket seller. He faced elite defenders like Dyson Daniels and Lu Dort and still ran the offense with ease. Per Yahoo Sports, Smith finished with a double-double in his first career start.
The Work Done Before The Game
Coach Rick Carlisle knew exactly what he was getting. He saw Smith outlast everyone in training camp conditioning drills. That effort paid off when the starters went down. Carlisle told reporters after the game, “This guy played 42 minutes in an NBA game and he was prepared for this opportunity because of all the work he put in this summer.” That quote sums up the whole story. Smith didn’t get lucky. He worked for this moment all summer.
Before this game, Smith had only played 18 total minutes in the NBA. A single free throw accounted for his only point. Now he has a double-double and the confidence of a veteran. He told reporters in the locker room that staying ready is just an expectation for him. He started every single game at Purdue for four years. He knows how to lead when the pressure is high.
A Gutsy Performance Against The Hawks
The Pacers were missing 11 players, including their five starters. They still managed to push the Hawks to the limit. The final score was 108-104, but the effort was there. Smith scored 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting. He also grabbed four rebounds and snagged three steals. His 10 assists led to 25 points for his teammates. Sports Illustrated reported that he generated 22 potential assists throughout the game.
It would have been easy to fold with so many teammates out. Instead, Smith took charge. He attacked the basket and made the Hawks’ defense pay. Even though the Pacers lost, Smith proved he belongs in the starting lineup. He showed the kind of competitor he has been for years. The Hawks fought hard, but Smith gave them a serious headache for 42 minutes.
The Pacers might be 2-6, but Smith is 1-0 in his starts.
