Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. is targeting a February 21 return from the hand injury that has sidelined him since early January, reports NBA Chris Haynes (Twitter video link).
Assuming Smith hits that target date, he would be back in action for Houston’s first game after the All-Star break, at home vs. the Timberwolves. However, agent Wallace Prather provided a more conservative timeline for his client’s return, telling Haynes, “We are targeting the end of the month.”
Smith has missed Houston’s past 20 games after fracturing his left hand during the team’s shootaround on January 3 ahead of a matchup with Boston. Prior to that injury, he had played a major part in the Rockets’ early-season success, starting the first 33 games of the season for a team that got off to a 22-11 start.
Smith has averaged 11.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.0 block in 30.9 minutes per game when healthy, with a shooting line of .435/.354/.867. Since he went down, the club has gone just 11-9, having just snapped a six-game losing streak on Sunday against Toronto.
Amen Thompson has taken over Smith’s spot in the starting lineup since Jan. 5 and has thrived in that new role, putting up 17.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 2.1 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game in his past 18 games as a starter.
It will be interesting to see which player is the odd man out of that starting five when Smith returns. The former No. 3 overall pick hasn’t come off the bench in any of his first 188 NBA outings.
I think Jabari slides back in to the starting 5 – Amen still will get his minutes as an anchor to the second team with Whitmore and Easton. I’d be cool with Brooks going to the bench vs Amen but that won’t happen.
VanVleet has had more impact on the six game skid than Jabari…..