For the first time since Dec. 23's 121-115 loss to the Washington Wizards, Dennis Smith Jr. is back.
Smith is set to return Wednesday for the Knicks' 7:30 p.m. game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Interim head coach Mike Miller added that the Knicks are monitoring the status of small forward Marcus Morris.
"Dennis is available tonight, is the first thing," Miller said when he met the media for his pregame availability. "Marcus is going to be looked at again here before we get to the final count. So we'll know more about his situation as we get to it."
Smith comes back after missing 13 games due to an oblique strain. Morris sat out four games from Jan. 8 through last Tuesday before returning two days later but is now day to day with an ankle injury. Miller said that the Knicks will tinker with the lineup accordingly.
"It's really going to be a feel for the game, just what we think we need going into it, and he's ready and available," Miller said. "So that's -- we'll go into it that way."
Smith is averaging 5.2 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 16.1 minutes through 21 games. Asked by SNY's Ian Begley about Smith keeping conditioned while injured, Miller mentioned that the Knicks tried to keep him involved, but basketball speed is different. One way or another, the Knicks (12-32) will find out against the Lakers (34-9).
"It's hard to say, just with the injury," Miller said. "He's done a lot of individual stuff, obviously, with the training staff, getting his condition back up. The difference is basketball condition is different than being physically fit. I'm sure he's going to work his way back into it, but he's a high-level athlete. He's, I think, feeling good right now and ready to play. So I'm sure he'll be able to work his way back in quickly."