Game 78 meant more to Brooklyn Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith than simply another game.On Saturday night, he had a very special occasion when his father, Elbert Smith, came to see him play the Detroit Pistons at Barclays Center.

The 52-year-old had never had the chance to see his son perform live until that moment, according to the Daily Mail.

Before tipoff, the Nets forward remarked, “It’s exciting.” Knowing that it will be his first time watching me perform live excites me. But try to concentrate on winning because you really want to win for him.

Elbert Smith received a 44-year jail sentence after being found guilty in 1996 of crimes of second-degree murder, intentional injury, and using a firearm during the killing of Willie Anderson II. According to reports from The Dallas Morning News, the Mavericks took steps to get Elbert Smith’s release while Finney-Smith was a member of the team.

Elbert Smith was freed from prison in December 2023 after the Virginia Parole Board overwhelmingly approved his release in July of that same year.

Elbert Smith had spent 28 years, 9 months, and 10 days incarcerated. The family had to wait until Elbert Smith was given permission to go, according to Finney-Smith.

Elbert Smith traveled to New York on Friday to witness the game with Finney-Smith’s mother, Desiree.

Finney-Smith stated, “He’s been looking at all the buildings with the window down.” “You know, contrasting it with his 1994 visit here. He recalls Brooklyn from his youth.

“He says things like ‘Barclays wasn’t here,’ which shows he knew his history in New York.”

The Brooklyn Nets, who had already eliminated themselves from the postseason earlier in the week, recognized the game’s personal significance for Finney-Smith, who was acquired from the Mavericks in exchange for Kyrie Irving last year.

Interim coach Kevin Ollie responded, “Yeah, we talked, but not to the extent of what it’s going to mean and all that.””I have no doubt that he will manage it like a pro, and that it will be important for him. He will put it aside and carry out his duties, but I have a sneaking suspicion that he will feel extra happy on the inside when he sees his father enjoy his first performance.

I’m sure he’ll go out there and do his thing, so hopefully he will. I don’t expect anything different from him because he’s the ultimate pro at stuff like this. I hope we can win him over tonight.

Finney-Smith entered the game at the beginning and played for 24 minutes, scoring two points on 1-5 shooting.

In the Brooklyn Nets’ 113-103 victory against the Detroit Pistons, he also grabbed seven rebounds and gave out an assist.