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

Jabari Smith Jr. can still become the star the Rockets envisioned With the third pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, the Houston Rockets selected Jabari Smith Jr. Any time a team invests such a high draft pick in a...

JUNE 10 • SPACECITYSCOOP.COM

Rockets Jabari Smith Jr. Gets Recognized Once More for his Defense Last season, Jabari Smith Jr. found himself in and out of the lineup for the Houston Rockets, as Rockets coach Ime Udoka tinkered with the d...

JUNE 4 • SI.COM

Struggles offensively in Game 7 Smith totaled nine points (3-11 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 2-3 FT), 12 rebounds, three assists and one block in 42 minutes during Friday's 98-78 loss to the Lakers in Game 6 of the first round o...

Impact Smith finished with 22 points in Game 5. However, the 22-year-old had trouble getting anything going Friday night and was unable to help lead his squad to Game 7. Overall, Smith had a productive season, averaging a career-best 15.8 points with 6.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.9 blocks and 0.7 steals while shooting 44.9 percent from the field and 36.3 percent from deep across 35.1 minutes per contest. He also appeared in 77 games, his second-highest mark since entering the league in 2022. Smith, who agreed to a five-year, $122 million extension in Oct. 2025, will likely continue to hold a stable role as a starter for the Rockets moving ahead. Although he isn't the most consistent offensively, his durability and defensive prowess should continue to benefit the team during the 2026-27 campaign and beyond, assuming he remains on the roster.

MAY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Rockets, Ime Udoka unveil coaching philosophy that'll help in beating Lakers | Sporting News Coach Ime Udoka wants hammer in better principles for the young Rockets led by Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun to win over the Lakers in...

MAY 1 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Jabari Smith Jr. just handed Lakers even more bulletin board material before Game 6 The Houston Rockets forward already has travel plans for Game 7.

MAY 1 • LAKESHOWLIFE.COM

Los Angeles looks to finish off series against Houston in game 6

The Los Angeles Lakers look to clinch the Western Conference first round over the Houston Rockets in game six

MAY 1 • Associated Press

LeBron CANNOT have first ever 3-0 blown lead on resumé 👀 Jalen Duren must lock-in for Game 6 vs. Magic | First Things First

MAY 1 • FOX SPORTS

Will Lakers be first team to blow 3-0 lead after second straight loss to Rockets? | The Herd

APRIL 30 • FOX SPORTS

What LeBron James said about Jabari Smith Jr's eye-opening claim after Game 5 loss | Sporting News LeBron James rejected Jabari Smith Jr.'s comment after the Rockets’ Game 5 win, emphasizing execution as the Lakers' offense struggles witho...

APRIL 30 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Drops team-high 22 in Game 5 win Smith notched 22 points (6-13 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 6-8 FT), seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks across 42 minutes during Wednesday's 99-93 victory over the Lakers in Game 5 of the...

Impact The 22 points led the Rockets on the night as they staved off elimination in Los Angeles. Smith has drained multiple three-pointers in every game of the first round so far, averaging 19.2 points, 7.8 boards, 3.6 threes, 1.6 assists and 1.2 steals as his team continues to navigate the absence of Kevin Durant (ankle). Smith will look to stay productive as the series shifts back to Houston for Game 6 on Friday.

APRIL 30 • ROTOWIRE

"I'm too old for that sh*t": LeBron James responds bluntly after Jabari Smith Jr. takes a shot at Lakers The battle of words ensued after the Houston Rockets defeated the LA Lakers 99-93 in Game 5 on Wednesday.

APRIL 30 • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

Rockets beat Lakers 99-93 in Game 5, avoiding playoff elimination for the 2nd straight game

Jabari Smith Jr. scored 22 points, Tari Eason added 18 and the Houston Rockets avoided playoff elimination for the second straight game with a 99-93 victory over the Lakers in Game...

APRIL 30 • Associated Press

Rockets just foolishly gifted Lakers some high-powered ammunition for Game 5 The Houston Rockets trail the Los Angeles Lakers 3-1 in a first-round series, but Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. emphatically believes tha...

APRIL 29 • LAKESHOWLIFE.COM

Jabari Smith Jr. says Rockets are a better team despite being down 3-1 vs. Lakers: "You can say that's an opinion, I'm biased" Smith believed the Rockets can still turn the series around by playing freely.

APRIL 29 • BASKETBALLNETWORK.NET

Magic and Lakers look to advance, Cavaliers host Raptors in pivotal Game 5

The Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Lakers were underdogs going into their first-round playoff series

APRIL 28 • Associated Press

Lakers look to secure series victory over the Rockets

The Los Angeles Lakers look to clinch the Western Conference first round over the Houston Rockets in game five

APRIL 28 • Associated Press

Productive in Sunday's win Smith had 16 points (4-15 FG, 2-10 3Pt, 6-6 FT), eight rebounds, three assists and three steals in 42 minutes during Sunday's 115-96 win over the Lakers in Game 4 of the first roun...

Impact The fourth-year forward has scored at least 16 points while draining multiple three-pointers in all four games of the season so far, averaging 18.5 points, 8.0 boards, 3.5 threes, 1.5 steals and 1.3 assists in 42.0 minutes, although his 39.3 percent shooting from the floor is less than ideal. Smith may need to find another level in Game 5 on Wednesday back in Los Angeles if the Rockets are going to stave off elimination once again.

APRIL 27 • ROTOWIRE

Amen Thompson sparks Rockets' 115-96 rout to stave off elimination against Lakers

Amen Thompson scored 23 points, Tari Eason added 20 and the Houston Rockets avoided elimination with a 115-96 rout of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4 of the Western Conference pla...

APRIL 27 • Associated Press

Suns fans can only laugh at Jabari Smith Jr.'s public shot at Kevin Durant Jabari Smith Jr. went public with some thoughts on Kevin Durant, in a situation Suns fans can only laugh at having been in the Rockets' posi...

APRIL 24 • VALLEYOFTHESUNS.COM

"It's on him to find ways to get himself involved" - Jabari Smith Jr. calls on Kevin Durant to take over for the Rockets Jabari Smith Jr. says Kevin Durant still needs to find ways to be involved.

APRIL 24 • BASKETBALLNETWORK.NET

"It's on him": Jabari Smith Jr. publicly calls out Kevin Durant amid Rockets' struggles against Lakers in first round Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. publicly called out his veteran teammate, Kevin Durant, ahead of Game 3 against the LA Lakers on Fr...

APRIL 24 • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

LeBron scores 28, leads short-handed Lakers past Durant's Rockets again 101-94 for 2-0 series lead

LeBron James had 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, and the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers outlasted the Houston Rockets for a 101-94 victory and a stunning 2-0 lead in...

APRIL 22 • Associated Press

Logs double-double in defeat Smith logged 16 points (5-14 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 3-5 FT), 12 rebounds and two steals across 43 minutes during Saturday's 107-98 loss to the Lakers in Game 1 of the first round of the West...

Impact Smith's performance on both sides of the ball helped to soften the blow caused by Kevin Durant's (knee) absence, but it wasn't enough to overtake the Lakers' relentless offensive onslaught. Smith has often been a savior for the Rockets when Durant or Alperen Sengun have been sidelined, but Game 1's result highlights the need for Durant on the court.

APRIL 19 • ROTOWIRE

Kennard scores 27, LeBron leads Lakers to surprising 107-98 win over Rockets in playoff opener

Luke Kennard scored a career playoff-high 27 points, LeBron James had 19 points and 13 assists, and the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers capitalized on Kevin Durant’s injury absence...

APRIL 19 • Associated Press

Inside the Numbers: Some notes going into the NBA playoffs

This NBA season has been unusual, with three teams finishing over

APRIL 18 • Associated Press

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