Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Warming News: JR Smith’s Daughter, Dakota, ‘Doing Well’ Despite Five Month Premature Birth

Last week, Cleveland Cavaliers sharp shooter JR Smith took to social media alongside his wife to announce difficult news about their newborn daughter, Dakota. Dakota Smith was born five months premature at 21 gestational weeks; 19 weeks from the usual 40.

According to TMZ, Dakota is “doing well” and is receiving everyday care by doctors in the hospital. She is just nine days old and weighs roughly one pound.

Prayers and support have been pouring in from the NBA family, celebrities, and other sports stars. The odds of survival have improved over recent years for premature babies, and Smith’s daughter’s chances are improving each day.

“We know we’re not the only family going through this, who has been through this and who will ever go through it,” Jewel Harris—JR Smith’s wife—said in the social media clip. “That’s why we decided to share what we’re going through with you guys. Please keep us in your prayers and we’ll do the same for everybody else.”

.@TheRealJRSmith and his wife share difficult family news. pic.twitter.com/efNsDANUo8

— UNINTERRUPTED (@uninterrupted) January 7, 2017

OpenCourt-Basketball.com will keep JR Smith and his family in our prayers.