Knicks Dennis Smith Jr. Is In Dallas, But Says He Doesn't Plan on Playing vs. Mavs Tonight

Knicks Dennis Smith Jr. Is In Dallas, But Says He Doesn't Plan on Playing vs. Mavs Tonight

DALLAS - There is no better "source'' than the subject of a story, on-the-record and for attribution. That's where we are with our mid-week report that Dennis Smith Jr. would not be traveling to Dallas for his New York Knicks' meeting with his former Mavs team.

"No, I'm not on the road trip,'' are Dennis' exact words, and with justifiable reason as he mourns the death of his stepmother.

When I asked Dennis (on Wednesday) if he’d be back in action tonight against the Mavs, he said, and I quote, “No, I’m not on the road trip.”

So idk what else I can tell you. That’s coming directly from him. https://t.co/rMQfDTwor7

— Dalton Trigg (@dalton_trigg) November 8, 2019

But now Smith is indeed in Dallas, and will be present for the 1-7 Knicks against the 5-2 Mavs team that last year traded him to New York in the Kristaps Porzingis blockbuster.

Knicks coach David Fizdale is saying that Smith "could play Sunday against the Cavs.''

What does this mean for Dennis Smith Jr. tonight? Again, there is no "source'' like one who is on-the-record and speaking for attribution.

So we asked Dennis again this morning.

"Yeah, (the Knicks organization) told me to come up, so I caught a flight from home (North Carolina) to (Dallas),'' he tells DallasBasketball.com's Dalton Trigg.

If Smith's plans go unchanged, that means that his Dallas homecoming - in an actual game - will be put on hold for at least another year.

Over the offseason, Smith Jr. joined our Mavs Step Back Podcast to talk about his adjustment to New York, and how he’s eager to play against the team that traded him.

“I’m still friends with everybody on (the Mavs),” said Smith Jr., noting that Luka Doncic still calls him every other week. “But you know I love to compete, so any chance I get to bust that ass, I’m good for it.”