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

Rockets mailbag: Houston's big NBA Draft board, Jabari Smith's shooting and more Alabama's Brandon Miller has been making a case to b the No. 2 pick in the draft potentially surpassing Scoot Henderson on many draft boards

MARCH 17, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

The IkoSystem: Rockets, Jabari Smith Jr. show promise in huge win over Celtics 'There’s no better teaching method than going through it and finding success at the end,' says Rockets coach Stephen Silas of the win.

MARCH 14, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Impressive play continues Smith registered 24 points (9-11 FG, 5-6 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 11 rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal across 36 minutes during Monday's 111-109 victory over Boston.

Impact Smith logged his third straight double-double in what has no doubt been his best string of games so far this season. Granted, he won't shoot this well every night, but the rookie forward has been much more consistent with his scoring efforts lately. So far in the month of March, Smith is averaging 16.6 points on 55.8 percent from the field.

MARCH 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Alperen Sengun rests sore groin, Rockets start Jabari Smith Jr. at center With Alperen Sengun unexpectedly sidelined by a groin strain, the Rockets are temporarily shifting Jabari Smith Jr. to center and starting T...

MARCH 13, 2023 • USATODAY.COM

Back-to-back double-doubles Smith contributed 20 points (8-14 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal in 36 minutes during Saturday's 119-111 loss to the Bulls.

Impact Smith has posted back-to-back games with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds, but he's also recorded at least one tally in each defensive category during both of those contests. Over his last five games -- arguably his best stretch of the season -- the rookie is averaging 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.4 steals-plus-blocks in 33.8 minutes per game.

MARCH 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Career-best performance Thursday Smith amassed 30 points (10-19 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 7-9 FT), 12 rebounds, three assists, one block and two steals over 47 minutes during Thursday's 134-125 overtime loss to Indiana.

Impact Smith was firing on all cylinders Thursday, turning in easily the best performance of his young career. In what has been a disappointing rookie campaign, Smith was finally able to deliver on the hype, putting up solid contributions on both ends of the floor. The Rockets are going to continue handing him as many minutes as possible, providing him an excellent opportunity to build on this moving forward. Managers shouldn't expect numbers like this very often, but at this point, any progression is a bonus.

MARCH 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Jabari Smith Jr. Scores CAREER-HIGH 30 Points vs Pacers | March 9, 2023

MARCH 10, 2023 • YOUTUBE

Comes close to double-double Smith provided 15 points (6-13 FG, 3-7 3Pt) and eight rebounds across 32 minutes during Tuesday's 118-96 loss to the Nets.

Impact Smith ended just two boards away from recording what would've been his first double-double since Feb. 13. For all the inconsistencies he's had in his rookie year, Smith seems to be trending in the right direction of late with 10 or more points in seven of his last 10 contests. The efficiency remains an issue, however, as he's making just 38.9 percent of his shots and 26.7 percent of his three-point attempts during that span.

MARCH 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Plays team-high 38 minutes Smith closed with nine points (3-11 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 3-6 FT), eight rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal over 38 minutes during Sunday's 131-114 loss to the Trail Blazers.

Impact Smith continues to struggle with his shot and has shot just 28.6 percent from the field over his past four games. However, he's been able to savage his production by posting 9.5 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and 0.8 steals during that stretch. The rookie first-round pick is a major piece of Houston's future and should remain a quality fantasy asset due to his production on the boards and elite defensive skills.

FEBRUARY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Damian Lillard's Jaw-Dropping Poster Dunk on Jabari Smith 👀

FEBRUARY 27, 2023 • YOUTUBE

Shooting woes continue Smith produced 13 points (4-16 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 4-4 FT), nine rebounds and one assist in 34 minutes during Friday's 116-101 loss to Golden State.

Impact Smith flirted with a double-double in the loss, although any positives were negated by the fact he shot 25 percent from the field. Despite playing consistent minutes thus far this season, Smith has not been able to string together a run of positive performances. While his shooting struggles have been well documented, his defensive production has also been well below where managers had hoped it would be coming into the season, as evidenced by his two steals over nine February contests. Well outside the top 150 for the season, Smith is not a player who needs to be rostered outside of slightly deeper formats.

FEBRUARY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

NBA All-Star highlights: Mac McClung stuns in Slam Dunk Contest

NBA All-Star Saturday continues with the Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest and Slam Dunk Contest. Here are the highlights!

FEBRUARY 19, 2023 • FOX SPORTS

NBA All-Star highlights: Mac McClung stuns in Slam Dunk Contest

Comes close to double-double Smith registered 15 points (4-8 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 5-6 FT), nine rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two steals in 29 minutes during Wednesday's 133-96 loss to the Thunder.

Impact Efficiency remains a concern for Smith, but the No. 3 overall pick in this past summer's draft heads into the All-Star break with three solid performances in a row from a counting stats-producing standpoint. In those contests, Smith averaged 15.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.0 three-pointers, 1.7 assists, 1.0 blocks and 0.7 steals. If he can come close to maintaining those marks the rest of the way, Smith will reward fantasy managers who have stayed patient with him during his rookie season, though he may remain more of a liability for those who are looking to make up ground in the field-goal percentage category. He's still sitting on a 38.9 percent mark for the season on 10.8 attempts per game.

FEBRUARY 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Report: Thunder had promised to draft Jabari Smith Jr. at No. 2 overall In a new interview with @MarcJSpears, the father of #Rockets rookie Jabari Smith Jr. says his son had a promise from Oklahoma City that went...

FEBRUARY 15, 2023 • USATODAY.COM

Puts up 22 points Friday Smith had 22 points (8-16 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 3-3 FT), eight rebounds, one assist and one block across 34 minutes during Friday's 97-95 loss to the Heat.

Impact Smith had one of the most productive games of his rookie year Friday, as he cleared the 20-point mark just for the seventh time this season and also finished just two rebounds away from recording what would've been his eighth double-double of the campaign. Smith is expected to have a more prominent role on offense following the trade deadline and his numbers are backing that up, as he's averaging 13.8 points while attempting 10.8 field goals per game over his last five contests.

FEBRUARY 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr. drafted for NBA's Rising Stars #Rockets prospects Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, and Jabari Smith Jr. were drafted in that order for the NBA’s Rising Stars tournament at All...

FEBRUARY 7, 2023 • USATODAY.COM

Good to go against Toronto Smith (hip) is available for Friday's game versus the Raptors, Jackson Gatlin of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.

Impact Smith has been upgraded from questionable to available Friday with a hip injury. The rookie forward is averaging 8.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and 1.2 assists in 26.4 minutes across his last five games.

FEBRUARY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On injury report after all Smith is listed on the injury report as questionable for Friday's game versus the Raptors due to a right hip pointer.

Impact An earlier report suggested Smith wasn't on the injury report, but the league report does indeed show the big man on the list after all. Smith is still hoping to play in Friday's game, but his status likely won't be confirmed until game day.

FEBRUARY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not on injury report Smith (ribs) isn't on the injury report for Friday's game against Toronto, Alykhan Bijani of The Athletic reports.

Impact Smith sustained a rib injury during Wednesday's game against Oklahoma City but will be able to suit up two days later. However, the Rockets play games Friday and Saturday, so it's possible his workload will be monitored during the back-to-back set. Over his last four appearances, the 19-year-old has averaged 9.0 points and 7.8 rebounds in 27.3 minutes per game.

FEBRUARY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Hopes to play Friday Coach Stephen Silas remains hopeful Smith (ribs) will suit up Friday against the Raptors, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Smith exited Wednesday's game versus the Thunder due to a rib issue and finished the night with nine points and seven boards over 27 minutes. Fortunately, the issue doesn't sound too serious, and the rookie could avoid missing time altogether. With back-to-back games on the schedule Friday and Saturday, it will be worth monitoring his status on the upcoming injury reports and subsequent updates.

FEBRUARY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Heads to locker room Smith exited Wednesday's game against the Thunder due to a rib injury, Adam Spolane of Sports Radio 610 Houston reports.

Impact Smith appeared to take a hard shot to the ribs and immediately headed to the locker room. He will finish the contest with nine points and seven rebounds across 27 minutes of action. Tari Eason and Jae'Sean Tate could be in line for a few more minutes if he doesn't return. If that is the case, Smith's next chance to play would come Friday against Toronto.

FEBRUARY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Racks up 12 boards Smith chipped in seven points (2-12 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 12 rebounds, two assists, three blocks and two steals in 34 minutes during Saturday's 117-114 victory over Detroit.

Impact Smith turned in a dreadful shooting line and hit only 16.7 percent of his attempts from the field. He was able to make up for it by snagging 12 boards, which marks his best night on the glass since Jan. 4. Smith also continues to make an impact at the rim by swatting away at least one shot in each of his last four games.

JANUARY 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Will play, have minutes monitored Smith (ankle) will play Wednesday against the Wizards and will have his minutes monitored, Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston reports.

Impact The rookie returns following a two-game absence due to a sprained right ankle. He'll presumably rejoin the starting five, pushing Tari Eason back to the bench, though fantasy managers shouldn't expect Smith to see too big of a workload. This month, the forward is averaging 11.8 points on 40/21/73 shooting, 6.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 28.7 minutes.

JANUARY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable to play Wednesday Smith (ankle) is questionable to play Wednesday against the Wizards, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact The rookie hopes to return from a two-game absence due to a right ankle sprain. Smith is averaging 11.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game in January, and if he can't go against Washington, then Tari Eason would probably remain in the starting unit.

JANUARY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Hopes to play Wednesday Smith (ankle) said Tuesday that he hope's to play in Wednesday's contest against the Wizards, Adam Spolane of Sports Radio 610 Houston reports.

Impact The rookie sat out Monday's game, marking a second straight absence, due to a right ankle sprain. However, it appears he was able to practice Tuesday and will attempt to suit up Wednesday. Further clarity on his availability will surface when Houston releases its next injury report.

JANUARY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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NBA All-Star highlights: Mac McClung stuns in Slam Dunk Contest