When asked about his newfound comfort on the court, the second-year guard gave credit to his old coach, former Hornets head coach Steve Clifford.

The Charlotte Hornets fell to the Portland Trail Blazers 102-97, but there was some positives to take away from that game. Despite being shorthanded, missing LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges due with injuries,

The recent injury to Brandon Miller provided the opportunity for Nick Smith Jr. to receive the first start of his NBA career, and he certainly took full advantage of it. Smith sco