NEW YORK — On the schedule, it was Sport 78.
It was one thing way more significant for Brooklyn Nets ahead Dorian Finney-Smith.
Finney-Smith’s father, Elbert Smith, was at Barclays Middle on Saturday evening for the Nets’ win over the Detroit Pistons. It marked the primary time that Smith, 52, was capable of see his son play in particular person.
“It is thrilling,” the Nets ahead stated earlier than the sport. “It is thrilling understanding it is [going to] be his first time ever seeing me play in particular person. However positively wish to get his win for him, so simply try to deal with getting the win.”
The Nets have been capable of safe the victory, a 113-103 comeback win. Finney-Smith scored 2 factors in 24 minutes .
Elbert Smith was convicted in 1996 of second-degree homicide, malicious wounding and fee of a firearm within the taking pictures loss of life of Willie Anderson II. He was sentenced to 44 years in jail.
The Dallas Morning Information reported that the Mavericks helped work for Smith’s launch whereas Finney-Smith performed for the workforce. The Virginia Parole Board voted unanimously in July 2023 to launch Smith, and he was launched in December.
He had served 28 years, 9 months and 10 days of his sentence.
In accordance with Finney-Smith, the household needed to wait till the elder Smith was allowed to journey. He and Finney-Smith’s mom, Desiree, arrived in New York on Friday.
“He is been having the window down, taking a look at all of the buildings,” Finney-Smith stated. “You already know, evaluating it to when he got here right here in 1994. He remembers Brooklyn again within the day. He retains saying Barclays wasn’t right here and stuff like that, so he clearly knew New York historical past.”
The Nets, who have been eradicated from postseason rivalry Wednesday, acknowledged the non-public significance of the sport for Finney-Smith, who they acquired from the Mavericks final yr as a part of the commerce for Kyrie Irving.
“Yeah, we talked however to not the extent of what it should imply and all that,” interim coach Kevin Ollie stated. “I do know it should be important for him, and he will deal with it like a professional. He’ll compartmentalize it and go on the market and do his job, however I think about he’ll have some particular pleasure inside for his dad to look at him lastly play.
“So hopefully, he’ll go on the market and do his factor, I do know he’ll. He is the final word professional relating to issues like this, so I do not anticipate something totally different for him. Hopefully, we will get him a win tonight.”
The Related Press contributed to this story.
