Jabari Smith Jr. News, Rumors, Updates - Houston Rockets

Starts at center Tuesday Smith registered 15 points (5-11 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 4-4 FT), nine rebounds, one assist and two steals over 33 minutes during Tuesday's 103-101 victory over San Antonio.

Impact Smith got the nod as the starting center Tuesday, replacing Alperen Sengun who is likely to miss the remainder of the season with multiple leg injuries. While the move to center is not set in stone for Smith, it is likely to give him a small bump in production, especially on the defensive end. Assuming he stays healthy, Smith could end up being a valuable piece on a lot of winning fantasy teams.

MARCH 13 • ROTOWIRE

Will start at center Coach Ime Udoka said Smith will start at center with Alperen Sengun (ankle/knee) out for an extended period, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Smith has started at power forward next to Sengun in all 59 of his appearances this season. However, at 6-foot-11, Smith can still provide size on the interior, as well as averaging 0.8 blocks per game in 2023-24.

MARCH 12 • ROTOWIRE

Records double-double Smith contributed 10 points (3-10 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists and three steals over 34 minutes during Sunday's 112-104 victory over the Kings.

Impact Smith didn't have a good shooting performance and was erratic on offense, but he salvaged his fantasy stat line by grabbing 11 rebounds and also adding three steals to the cause, proving he can be a disruptive presence on the defensive end. Smith needs to be better offensively, however, as he's failed to surpass the 15-point mark in six of his last 10 games. During that 10-game stretch, the second-year forward is averaging 14.0 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game.

MARCH 11 • ROTOWIRE

Leads from deep in defeat Smith contributed 19 points (6-11 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 3-4 FT), two rebounds, one assist and two blocks across 29 minutes during Wednesday's 122-116 loss to the Clippers.

Impact Smith took the court Wednesday despite entering the contest questionable due to illness, going on to lead all Houston players in threes made while ending one point shy of the 20-point mark in a losing effort. Smith matched a season-high total in threes made, a feat he has now accomplished six times. He has recorded at least 19 points in 12 outings, including in four of his last 10 contests.

MARCH 7 • ROTOWIRE

Will play Wednesday Smith (illness) is available for Wednesday's game against the Clippers, Lachard Binkley of TheDreamShake.com reports.

Impact Smith was a late addition to the injury report but will ultimately play through an ailment. The second-year forward has scored at least 20 points four times over his last 12 appearances and is averaging 13.6 points (38.3 percent shooting) and 10.1 rebounds per game during that stretch.

MARCH 6 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with illness Smith is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Clippers due to an illness.

Impact Smith finished Tuesday's win over San Antonio with just two points (1-6 FG) and three rebounds in 25 minutes, so he may have been a bit under the weather already. Jeff Green (knee) is also questionable, so Cam Whitmore, Amen Thompson and Jae'Sean Tate would be candidates for increased roles if Smith and Green are sidelined.

MARCH 6 • ROTOWIRE

Posts impressive double-double Smith contributed 11 points (3-11 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 16 rebounds, one block and one steal in 37 minutes during Thursday's 110-105 loss to the Suns.

Impact Smith struggled from the field, but he compensated for the lack of scoring with another elite showing on the glass. This was his fourth consecutive double-double, and this was the fifth one he recorded in February alone. Over his last 12 appearances, Smith is averaging 13.4 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.9 steals per contest.

MARCH 1 • ROTOWIRE

Double-doubles in loss Smith closed with 18 points (7-16 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 13 rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal across 35 minutes during Tuesday's 112-95 loss to the Thunder.

Impact Smith now has 13 double-doubles to his name this season. He's been very productive over his last three appearances, averaging 20.0 points, 15.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.7 three-pointers. He hasn't been hot from the field by any means, however, as he shot 38.8 percent in that span.

FEBRUARY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Big double-double in loss Smith notched 20 points (6-15 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 17 rebounds, four assists and one steal across 41 minutes during Sunday's 123-110 loss to the Thunder.

Impact The 17 boards represented Smith's best performance on the glass since he ripped down 18 back on Dec. 6, also against the Thunder. The second-year forward has produced at least 20 points in four of the last eight games, but he's scored in single digits in three of them as he attempt to find some consistency on offense. Over that stretch, he's averaging 14.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.0 threes, 1.9 assists and 1.0 steals, but he's shooting only 39.0 percent from the floor and 32.0 percent from long distance.

FEBRUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Excellent in win over Phoenix Smith supplied 22 points (6-18 FG, 3-10 3Pt, 7-8 FT), 16 rebounds, three assists, one block and two steals over 41 minutes before fouling out of Friday's 114-110 win over the Suns.

Impact Smith didn't have his best performance from an efficiency point of view, as he needed 18 shots to score 22 points, but other than that, he delivered a strong all-around performance while making his presence felt on both ends of the court. Smith's growth compared to his rookie year has been noticeable both in fantasy and real life, and his numbers in recent weeks are a strong reflection of that improvement. He has scored at least 20 points in three of his last seven games, a span in which he's averaging 14.0 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 steals per contest.

FEBRUARY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Fred VanVleet, Jabari Smith Jr. help Rockets hold off Suns, 114-110

Fred VanVleet scored 23 points, Jabari Smith Jr. had 22 points and 16 rebounds and the Houston Rockets withstood Phoenix’s late surge to beat the Suns 114-110 on Friday night

FEBRUARY 24 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Available to play Smith (illness) is available to play in Saturday's game against the Hawks, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chroniclereports.

Impact Smith was carrying a questionable tag prior to this update, but he made it through warmups without any setbacks. The Rockets will likely monitor him closely, but there's no word of any official restrictions.

FEBRUARY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Gets questionable tag Smith is considered questionable for Saturday's matchup with the Hawks due to an illness, Ben DuBose of USA Today reports.

Impact Smith's status will presumably depend on how he is feeling closer to tipoff. If he is ultimately unable to play through it, Jae'Sean Tate and Jeff Green would presumably be the prime beneficiaries, as Cam Whitmore (ankle) and Tari Eason (lower leg) have already been ruled out.

FEBRUARY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Double-double in loss Friday Smith provided 12 points (5-11 FG, 2-6 3Pt), 11 rebounds and two assists over 33 minutes during Friday's 107-104 loss to the Raptors.

Impact Smith recorded his first double-double since Jan. 20, and while the second-year forward hasn't been consistent with his two-way play at times, it's undeniable that he's experienced an uptick in his numbers compared to his rookie campaign. He's averaging 13.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 0.7 blocks per contest as a sophomore.

FEBRUARY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Invisible in loss Smith closed with three points (1-4 FG, 1-2 3Pt), two rebounds and one steal across 19 minutes during Sunday's 111-90 loss to the Timberwolves.

Impact This was the third dud in a row for Smith as the Rockets dropped their second game out of their past three. Smith has produced averages of 4.7 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.0 three-pointers on 26.3 percent shooting in that span, his worst stretch of the season by a mile.

FEBRUARY 5 • ROTOWIRE

Easy 18 points in win Smith supplied 18 points (8-13 FG, 2-5 3Pt), nine rebounds, four assists, one block and three steals in 36 minutes during Monday's 135-119 victory over the Lakers.

Impact Smith paired his efficiency with versatile production in a game where Houston only trailed for a grand total of 34 seconds. Smith is burying 41.2 percent of his catch-and-shoot threes this season, and his rim efficiency has improved from 59.2 percent last year to 64.4 percent in 2023-24 thus far.

JANUARY 30 • ROTOWIRE

Off injury report Smith is no longer listed on the injury report ahead of Monday's game against the Lakers.

Impact Smith has missed the last four games due to a left ankle sprain but he will return to action Monday. Before suffering the ankle injury, the 20-year-old pro was averaging 15.2 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 34.2 minutes per game over his last five appearances

JANUARY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Remains out against Brooklyn Smith (ankle) won't play in Saturday's game versus the Nets.

Impact Smith's absence streak will extend to four games Saturday while dealing with a left ankle sprain. Jeff Green will likely continue to start in his absence. Smith's next chance to suit up is Monday's matchup with the Lakers.

JANUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Friday Smith (ankle) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Hornets, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Smith will miss a third straight game due to a left ankle sprain, but Reggie Bullock (back) and Jae'Sean Tate (wrist) have been cleared to suit up. Jeff Green, Cam Whitmore and Amen Thompson are also candidates for increased roles in Smith's absence. Smith's next chance to suit up will come Saturday in Brooklyn.

JANUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Friday Smith (ankle) is now listed as questionable for Friday's game versus the Hornets.

Impact Smith is in danger of missing his third straight contest Friday due to a left ankle sprain. The second-year-forward has now been deemed questionable for back-to-back games after initially being left off the injury report. Jeff Green and Cam Whitmore are candidates to receive extended minutes if Smith is ruled out again.

JANUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Off the injury report Smith (ankle) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Friday's matchup with Charlotte.

Impact An ankle injury forced Smith to miss the past two games for Houston, but it appears he'll be back in the mix Friday, which should result in Jeff Green returning to the second unit. There will also be fewer minutes available for Aaron Holiday and Jock Landale.

JANUARY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Out Wednesday Smith (ankle) will not suit up for Wednesday's game against the Trail Blazers, Houston sidelines reporter, Vanessa Richardson, reports.

Impact This will be the second straight game on the sidelines for Smith, which should result in another start and extended minutes for Cam Whitemore. There will also be more opportunities for Amen Thompson, and it'll be Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks running the show on offense.

JANUARY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Now questionable for Wednesday Smith (ankle) is listed as questionable for Wednesday's game versus Portland, Adam Spolane of Sports Radio 610 Houston reports.

Impact Despite not appearing on the initial injury report, Smith is in danger of missing his second straight game due to a left ankle sprain. If the second-year forward is ruled out, Cam White will likely continue to receive increased playing time.

JANUARY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Removed from injury report Smith (ankle) does not carry an injury designation for Wednesday's game against Portland.

Impact Smith tweaked his ankle in Saturday's win over the Jazz, but the injury will only cost him one game. Smith has been sharp of late, averaging 15.7 points and 9.2 rebounds while shooting 48.1 percent from the field and 37.0 percent from deep across his last six appearances.

JANUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Goes through practice Smith (ankle) was able to practice on Tuesday, Adam Spolane of Sports Radio 610 Houston reports.

Impact Smith was held out of Sunday's game against Boston, but it appears that he's on track to return for Wednesday's game versus Portland. There should be more clarity when the Rockets release their injury report Tuesday evening. Cam Whitmore started in Smith's place Sunday, but he wasn't very effective with five points in 27 minutes.

JANUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE

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Fred VanVleet, Jabari Smith Jr. help Rockets hold off Suns, 114-110