"Nearly one week after sustaining a concussion from a pair of blows to the head in a loss to the Detroit Pistons, New Orleans Hornets starting power forward Jason Smith is scheduled to be re-examined on Friday as part of the NBA's new concussion policy.

Smith has been away from the team all week, protocol mandated by the newly implemented concussion program.

"I'd much rather have him here because his spirit and who he is, he's been our natural leader this year," Coach Monty Williams said Thursday following practice at the Alario Center. "I miss having him around."