Houston Rockets ahead Jabari Smith Jr. is ready to overlook 4 to eight weeks after fracturing his left hand throughout shootaround Friday, in keeping with coach Ime Udoka.
Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka stated Amen Thompson will take over for Jabari Smith Jr. within the beginning lineup
Udoka stated Smith bought hit on the hand throughout follow and the crew later discovered it was damaged. The surgical procedure date is to-be-determined till Houston confirms the damage’s severity following a second opinion.
Within the meantime, Amen Thompson will take Smith’s spot within the beginning lineup, per Udoka. The 21-year-old Smith is in his third season after the Rockets chosen him No. 3 general within the 2022 NBA draft out of Auburn.
#Rockets Jabari Smith Jr. fractured his left hand at shootaround this morning and is anticipated to overlook 4-8 weeks
Ime Udoka with this replace earlier than tonight’s @HoustonRockets recreation with the Celtics
Extra on Pregame Present on SCHN at 6:30PM pic.twitter.com/A0NhL7FJ5Q
— Area Metropolis Dwelling Community (@SpaceCityHN) January 4, 2025
By means of 33 video games (all begins) this season, Smith has averaged 11.9 factors, 6.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.0 blocks, and 30.9 minutes per contest whereas capturing 43.5% from the sphere, 35.4% from deep, and a career-best 86.7% on the foul line.
In Houston’s 125-104 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Nov. 15, he recorded a season-high 28 factors on 11-of-17 (64.7%) capturing from the ground and 5-of-8 (62.5%) from 3-point territory.
Houston has second-best odds of buying and selling for Jimmy Butler
The Rockets are additionally with out ahead Tari Eason, who has missed the previous eight video games with a leg damage. Amen Thompson lately served his two-game suspension for his involvement in a struggle in Sunday’s recreation towards the Miami Warmth.
In keeping with NBA betting websites, the Rockets (+400) have second-best odds behind the Golden State Warriors (-200) to accumulate Jimmy Butler from the Miami Warmth earlier than the Feb. 6 commerce deadline.
Smith may probably be featured in a commerce package deal for Butler, along with Jeff Inexperienced, Steven Adams, and Dillon Brooks. Houston intends to construct round Jalen Inexperienced, Alperen Sengun, and Thompson. The Rockets have first-round picks in 2025 and 2027.
Houston (22-12) is at the moment the No. 3 seed within the Western Convention, trailing the top-seeded Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (29-5) by seven video games. Final season, the Rockets went 41-41 and completed eleventh within the West.
Houston is aiming to return to the playoffs after a four-year absence.
