It was Game 78 on the schedule, but for Brooklyn Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith, it held much deeper meaning.
His father, Elbert Smith, attended the Nets’ game against the Detroit Pistons at Barclays Center on Saturday night. It was a special moment as it marked the first time Elbert, 52, could watch his son play in person.
“It’s exciting,” said Finney-Smith before the game. “It’s exciting knowing it’s going to be his first time seeing me play in person. But want to get this win for him, so just try and focus on getting the win.”
Elbert Smith had been convicted in 1996 for second-degree murder and other charges related to a shooting incident. However, after efforts by the Mavericks, where Finney-Smith previously played, and the Virginia Parole Board, he was released in December 2023 after serving nearly 29 years of his sentence.
According to Finney-Smith, the family had to wait until Elbert was allowed to travel. They arrived in New York on Friday, and Elbert was amazed by the changes in Brooklyn since his last visit in 1994.
Although the Nets were already out of playoff contention, they understood the significance of the game for Finney-Smith. Acquired from the Mavericks in a trade last year, the team acknowledged the personal importance of this moment for him.
