J.R. Smith (back) left Tuesday's preseason game returned to Tuesday's preseason game in the second half, the New York Daily News reports.

Smith (back) left Tuesday's preseason game returned to Tuesday's preseason game in the second half, the New York Daily News reports.

Analysis:

Smith left with back spasms in the second quarter but returned in the second half to finish the game with four points on 1-of-7 shooting and played 23 minutes. He tweeted earlier in the offseason that he expects to start this season for the Knicks, and is in competition with Tim Hardaway and Iman Shumpert for playing time. He has shot 38.9 percent (14-for-36) from the field in the preseason, but has struggled form 3-point range, making just three of 14 shots from beyond the arc.