J.R. Smith keeping prematurely born daughter front of mind

J.R. Smith is still coping with the premature birth of his daughter, who remains in a Cleveland-area hospital.

The Cavaliers shooting guard says he'll be able to breathe easy once his daughter, Dakota, can safely be brought home.

"I'll be happy when I can bring her home, but until then, it's something I want to keep in the front of my mind all the time," Smith told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.

"I talk to my wife about it. Just keep having conversations about it. It's pretty much the only thing that relieves some of the pressure."

His wife, Jewel, revealed last week that Dakota is no longer intubated after being born five months prematurely in January.

Smith believes a broken thumb he suffered earlier this season was ultimately a blessing in disguise.

"Had I not have gotten hurt, I wouldn't have been able to spend as much time with (Dakota) as I have," Smith said. "It's kind of worked out for the best."