Arkansas G Nick Smith Jr. likely out for “rest of the month”

Arkansas coach Eric Musselman provided the first real update on the status of guard Nick Smith Jr. and his injured knee on Thursday.

It was as expected.

Smith, Musselman said, is expected to be out for the entire month of January because of his right knee injury. When February arrives, all parties will re-evaluate.

Arkansas’ freshman star has played in just five games this season and only three at full-minutes. The No. 1 recruit in the nation in the Class of 2022 has averaged 12.8 points this season. He missed Arkansas’ first six games because of the knee. He then re-injured it in Arkansas’ win against Bradley on December 17 and he has been out since.

“Remains in (Los Angeles),” Musselman said about Smith. “I would assume that that will be the case for the next, not to speculate, but I mean that’s probably going to be the case throughout the rest of the month. And then where it is at that point, probably reevaluate it. But certainly not the expectation that he’ll play in the next few games.”

NBA executives are already anticipating Smith’s career at Arkansas is over, per reports. But Thursday was the first time anyone associated with the Razorbacks program gave any timeline, even if it were in pencil rather than pen.

Arkansas beat Missouri most recently without Smith, a come-from-behind victory that pulled the Hogs to .500 in the SEC. The team is back on the road Saturday for a game at Auburn.